Transmission/reception system, transmission device, reception device, authentication device, user device, method executed by the aforementioned, and program

ABSTRACT

An encryption technique in which a transmission device and a reception device use solutions generated such that those generated in the same order are assumed to be the same is improved so as to enhance versatility without undermining security. An initial solution respectively used by two communication devices involved in communication in order to generate solutions is sent from one communicating device to the other. Both communication devices generate a mutually agreed-upon number of solutions from the initial solution and set the last solution among the generated solutions as a new initial solution, and using solutions generated based on the new initial solution, the transmission device performs encryption while the reception device performs decryption.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §§120 and 365(c)as a continuation application of prior International JapaneseApplication No. PCT/JP2009/057407, which was filed on Apr. 6, 2009, andwhich was published under International Publication No. WO 2009/123366A1 on Oct. 8, 2009, and was not published in English under PCT Article21(2). The disclosure of the prior international application isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technique for encrypting andtransmitting/receiving predetermined data.

BACKGROUND ART

A technique for transmitting and receiving data via a predeterminednetwork such as the Internet is widely used in fields such as theInternet, electronic mail, and IP telephony. Data to be transmitted andreceived via a network may include programs and data of contents such asmoving images.

During transmission/reception of data, there is a risk thateavesdropping of data by a third party may occur between a transmissiondevice that transmits the data and a reception device that receives thedata. Encryption techniques are widely used in order to prevent suchoccurrences when transmitting/receiving data.

While there are various techniques for encryption, one of suchtechniques uses a one-time password.

A one-time password is often used for authentication. A one-timepassword is generally realized using a tool known as a token thatgenerates a personal identification number or other information. A tokensometimes generates the information described above in a time-dependentmanner and sometimes generates the information so that the informationis dependent on an order in which the information had been generated. Inany case, an authentication device and a token are adapted to generatethe same information. The user sends the aforementioned informationgenerated by the user's own token to the authentication device. Theauthentication device validates a user by collating informationgenerated by the device itself with the information received from theuser.

Such a technique involving a one-time password can be applied toencrypted communication by having two transmission devices generatecommon information, and having the transmitting side use the commoninformation for encrypting data to become an object of transmission andhaving the receiving side use the common information for decryptingreceived encrypted data. While the aforementioned common information canbe used as, for example, a part of a key or an algorithm for encryptingor decrypting data, as information for newly generating a key or analgorithm, or for specifying one from a plurality of keys or algorithms,since the key or algorithm is never transmitted between the twocommunication devices, a relatively high encryption strength can beachieved.

A similar technique has already been proposed by the present inventor.

The technique can be described as follows.

The encrypting technique proposed by the present inventor is adaptedsuch that a transmission device and a reception device include solutiongenerating means that consecutively generates, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions uniquely determined bythe initial solution. The transmission device is adapted to use asolution generated by the solution generating means when encrypting andconverting data to be transmitted into encrypted data, and the receptiondevice is adapted to use a solution generated by the solution generatingmeans when decrypting received encrypted data to restore the originaldata. The aforementioned solution is to be appropriately used duringencryption and decryption (for example, a solution may be used as one ofa key when performing encryption and decryption, a solution forgenerating at least one of a key or an algorithm to be used whenperforming encryption and decryption, and a solution for selecting anappropriate key or algorithm from a plurality of already existing keysor algorithms). In any case, solutions generated by the transmissiondevice and the reception device are to be the same when comparingsolutions respectively generated in the same order. Consequently, sincethe reception device is now capable of reproducing a key and analgorithm used by the transmission device when performing encryption bythe transmission device using the same solution that had been used whenperforming encryption, encrypted data generated at the transmissiondevice by encrypting predetermined data can be decrypted even when thetransmission device provides no information related to a solution, akey, and an algorithm used by the transmission device during encryption.

The aforementioned technique proposed by the present inventor isachieved by having the transmission device and the reception devicegenerate solutions such that those generated in the same order becomethe same. To this end, means for generating the same solution at boththe transmission device and the reception device is required. Thepresent inventor has solved this issue by providing, in advance, thetransmission device and the reception device with a particular solution(being a first solution, this solution is to be referred to as aninitial solution in the present application). Specifically, thetransmission device and the reception device are adapted to generate onesolution after another based on a common initial solution provided inadvance (a plurality of initial solutions may be provided) by performingprocessing in which a second solution is created using the initialsolution, a third solution is created using the second and antecedentsolutions, a fourth solution is created using the third and antecedentsolutions, and so on.

Although the aforementioned technique proposed by the present inventorenables a method of performing encryption by the transmission device tobe varied (for example, keys and algorithms can be varied), thetechnique is highly advantageous in that information necessary foridentifying a solution, a key, or an algorithm used by the transmissiondevice need not be exchanged between the transmission device and thereception device. In other words, a cipher created by the aforementionedtechnique is hard to break.

Since the aforementioned technique is based on the premise that a commoninitial solution is provided in advance to a transmission device thatperforms encryption and a reception device that performs decryption, thetechnique is suitable for one-on-one communication between thetransmission device and the reception device. However, when thetransmission device and the reception device are specified or restrictedfrom the start, the aforementioned technique can be applied even if oneof or both of the transmission device and the reception device exists inplurality.

However, it is difficult to apply the aforementioned technique when, forexample, at least one of the transmission device and the receptiondevice exists in plurality and the transmission device and the receptiondevice are not specified. It is similarly difficult to have thetransmission device and the reception device share an initial solutionin advance when a transmission device or a reception device isincreased. While the transmission device and the reception device arerequired to possess a common initial solution upon performing encryptionand decryption (this requirement may be achieved by gaining knowledge ofan initial solution in the possession of the other party in some way),at present, there are no suitable techniques for fulfilling thisrequirement.

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-249929

[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-253745

[Patent Literature 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-253746

[Patent Literature 4] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-013506

It is an object of the present invention to enhance versatility, withoutundermining security, of an encryption technique in which a transmissiondevice and a reception device use solutions generated such that thosegenerated in the same order are to become the same.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In order to achieve the object described above, the present inventorproposes a first invention and a second invention described below.

The first invention according to the present application is as follows.

The first invention is a transmission/reception system including: atransmission device capable of transmitting, via a predeterminednetwork, encrypted data created by encrypting transmission object datathat is data to become an object of transmission; and a reception devicecapable of receiving the encrypted data from the transmission device viathe network.

In addition, the transmission device includes: transmitting-sidesolution generating means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution;encrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means to encrypt the transmissionobject data to create encrypted data; and transmitting-sidecommunicating means that communicates with the reception device via thenetwork.

Furthermore, the reception device includes: receiving-side solutiongenerating means that consecutively generate, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted togenerate the same solutions as the transmitting-side solution generatingmeans if it uses the same initial solution as used by thetransmitting-side solution generating means; decrypting means that usesthe solutions generated by the receiving-side solution generating meansto decrypt the encrypted data that is encrypted by the transmissiondevice; and receiving-side communicating means that communicates withthe transmission device via the network.

The transmission device and the reception device are adapted such that:when transmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, one ofthe transmission device and the reception device transmits data tobecome the initial solution to the other of the transmission device andthe reception device; the one of the transmission device and thereception device generates solutions at transmitting-side solutiongenerating means thereof or receiving-side solution generating meansthereof using the transmitted data as an initial solution, and the otherof the transmission device and the reception device generates solutionsat transmitting-side solution generating means thereof or receiving-sidesolution generating means thereof using the received data as an initialsolution; the transmitting-side solution generating means and thereceiving-side solution generating means generate a mutually agreed-uponpredetermined number of solutions, and subsequently generate solutionsusing a last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution; and the encrypting means is adapted to encrypt thetransmission object data using the solutions generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means based on the new initialsolution, and the decrypting means is adapted to decrypt the encrypteddata using the solutions generated by the receiving-side solutiongenerating means based on the new initial solution.

The transmission/reception system is adapted such that data to become aninitial solution is to be sent from one of the transmission device andthe reception device to the other. By having data to become an initialsolution sent from one of the transmission device and the receptiondevice to the other, the present system enables an initial solution tobe shared among unspecified transmission devices and reception deviceswhich had been conventionally difficult to achieve. Moreover, instead ofbeing initial solution data for generating solutions to be used when thetransmission device and the reception device encrypts or decryptsencrypted data to be transmitted/received, the initial solution datasent from one of the transmission device and the reception device to theother is initial solution data for generating an initial solution forgenerating solutions to be used when the transmission device and thereception device encrypts or decrypts encrypted data to betransmitted/received. By generating a previously and mutuallyagreed-upon number of solutions based on an initial solutiontransmitted/received between the transmission device and the receptiondevice, the transmission device and the reception device are to obtainan initial solution to be used for generating solutions used whenencrypting transmission object data or decrypting encrypted data. Inother words, with the transmission/reception system, since an initialsolution for generating solutions to be used when encryptingtransmission object data or decrypting encrypted data is nottransmitted/received between the transmission device and the receptiondevice and a third party has no way of knowing which place in the orderof the generated solutions is to be used by the transmission device andthe reception device as an initial solution for generating solutions tobe used when encrypting transmission object data or decrypting encrypteddata, a high encryption strength can be achieved.

Whichever transmits the data to become the initial solution among thetransmission device and the reception device included in thetransmission/reception system according to the first invention mayinclude means for varying the data to become the initial solutionaccording to a predetermined rule at a predetermined timing. Encryptionstrength can be further increased by varying data to become the initialsolution which is sent from one of the transmission device and thereception device to the other.

As described above, the transmitting-side solution generating means andthe receiving-side solution generating means of the transmission deviceand the reception device included in the transmission/reception systemaccording to the first invention are adapted to generate a mutuallyagreed-upon predetermined number of solutions based on the receivedinitial solution, and to subsequently generate solutions to be used whenencrypting transmission object data or decrypting encrypted data using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution. In this case, the “predetermined number” with respectto which of the solutions is to be used as an initial solution need notnecessarily be fixed and can alternatively be varied on the conditionthat the “predetermined number” is the same between the transmissiondevice and the reception device. For example, the “predetermined number”described above may be varied even when data is not exchanged betweenthe transmission device and the reception device if information that canbe acquired even if separated such as a time and date oftransmission/reception of data between the transmission device and thereception device is to be used as a basis.

As described above, the transmitting-side solution generating means andthe receiving-side solution generating means of the transmission deviceand the reception device included in the transmission/reception systemaccording to the first invention are adapted to generate solutions to beused when encrypting transmission object data or decrypting encrypteddata. In this case, one or a plurality of solutions may respectively beused for encrypting transmission object data and decrypting encrypteddata. If a plurality of solutions is to be used, thetransmission/reception system according to the present invention can beadapted as described below. That is, the encrypting means may be adaptedto divide the transmission object data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional transmission object dataand subsequently sequentially encrypt the respective pieces ofdivisional transmission object data using different solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means, and the decryptingmeans may be adapted to divide the encrypted data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional encrypted data andsubsequently sequentially decrypt the respective pieces of divisionalencrypted data using different solutions generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means. In this case, a new solution is to be usedevery time divisional transmission object data is encrypted and everytime divisional encrypted data is decrypted.

The present invention proposes the transmission device to be included inthe transmission/reception system described above as one of the firstinventions according to the present application. The transmission devicemay either be adapted to transmit the data to become the initialsolution to the reception device or to receive the data to become theinitial solution from the reception device.

A same operational effect as the former transmission device can beachieved by the following method.

The method is a method to be executed by a transmission device thatconstitutes a transmission/reception system including: a transmissiondevice capable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the reception device adapted to include:receiving-side solution generating means for consecutively generating,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means to decrypt the encrypted datato create transmission object data; receiving-side communicating meansfor communicating with the transmission device via the network; andmeans for receiving data to become the initial solution from thetransmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypted data isperformed, the receiving-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe transmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is received from thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, wherein the transmissiondevice includes control means that consecutively generate, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means.

In addition, the method includes processes in which the control means:transmits the data to become the initial solution to the receptiondevice; transmits the encrypted data to the reception device; generatesa predetermined number, which had been agreed upon with the receptiondevice, of solutions using the data to become the initial solutiontransmitted to the reception device as an initial solution; generates asolution using a last solution among the predetermined number ofsolutions as a new initial solution; and encrypts the transmissionobject data using the solution generated using the last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution.

The former transmission device can be realized with, for example, acomputer program described below. The use of the computer programenables the same operational effect as the former transmission device tobe achieved even with a general-purpose computer (for example, apersonal computer or a mobile phone).

The computer program is a computer program that causes control means ofa transmission device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: a transmission device capable of transmitting, via apredetermined network, encrypted data created by encrypting transmissionobject data that is data to become an object of transmission; and areception device capable of receiving the encrypted data from thetransmission device via the network, in combination with the receptiondevice adapted to include: receiving-side solution generating means forconsecutively generating, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution; decrypting means that usesthe solutions generated by the receiving-side solution generating meansto decrypt the encrypted data to create transmission object data;receiving-side communicating means for communicating with thetransmission device via the network; and means for receiving data tobecome the initial solution from the transmission device whentransmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, thereceiving-side solution generating means being adapted to generate apredetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon with thetransmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is received from thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, the transmission deviceincluding the control means that consecutively generate, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means,to execute the processes of: transmitting the data to become the initialsolution to the reception device; transmitting the encrypted data to thereception device; generating a predetermined number, which had beenagreed upon with the reception device, of solutions using the data tobecome the initial solution transmitted to the reception device as aninitial solution; generating a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; andencrypting the transmission object data using the solution generatedusing the last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution.

A same operational effect as the latter transmission device can beachieved by the following method.

The method is a method to be executed by a transmission device thatconstitutes a transmission/reception system including: a transmissiondevice capable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the reception device adapted to include:receiving-side solution generating means for consecutively generating,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means to decrypt the encrypted datato create transmission object data; receiving-side communicating meansfor communicating with the transmission device via the network; andmeans for transmitting data to become the initial solution to thetransmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypted data isperformed, the receiving-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe transmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is transmitted to thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, wherein the transmissiondevice includes control means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means.

In addition, the method includes processes in which the control means:receives the data to become the initial solution from the receptiondevice; transmits the encrypted data to the transmission device;generates a predetermined number, which had been agreed upon with thereception device, of solutions using the data to become the initialsolution received from the reception device as an initial solution;generates a solution using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution; and encrypts thetransmission object data using the solution generated using the lastsolution among the predetermined number of solutions as a new initialsolution.

The latter transmission device can be realized with, for example, acomputer program described below. The use of the computer programenables the same operational effect as the latter transmission device tobe achieved even with a general-purpose computer (for example, apersonal computer or a mobile phone).

The computer program is a computer program that causes control means ofa transmission device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: a transmission device capable of transmitting, via apredetermined network, encrypted data created by encrypting transmissionobject data that is data to become an object of transmission; and areception device capable of receiving the encrypted data from thetransmission device via the network, in combination with the receptiondevice adapted to include: receiving-side solution generating means forconsecutively generating, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution; decrypting means that usesthe solutions generated by the receiving-side solution generating meansto decrypt the encrypted data to create transmission object data;receiving-side communicating means for communicating with thetransmission device via the network; and means for transmitting data tobecome the initial solution to the transmission device whentransmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, thereceiving-side solution generating means being adapted to generate apredetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon with thetransmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is transmitted to thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, the transmission deviceincluding the control means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means,to execute the processes of: receiving the data to become the initialsolution from the reception device; transmitting the encrypted data tothe transmission device; generating a predetermined number, which hadbeen agreed upon with the reception device, of solutions using the datato become the initial solution received from the reception device as aninitial solution; generating a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; andencrypting the transmission object data using the solution generatedusing the last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution.

The present inventor proposes the reception device to be included in thetransmission/reception system described above as one of the firstinventions according to the present application. The reception devicemay either be adapted to receive the data to become the initial solutionfrom the transmission device or to transmit the data to become theinitial solution to the transmission device.

A same operational effect as the former reception device can be achievedby the following method.

The method is a method to be executed by a reception device thatconstitutes a transmission/reception system including: a transmissiondevice capable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the transmission device adapted to include:transmitting-side solution generating means for consecutivelygenerating, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution; encrypting means that uses the solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means to encrypt thetransmission object data to create encrypted data; transmitting-sidecommunicating means for communicating with the reception device via thenetwork; and means for transmitting data to become the initial solutionto the reception device when transmission/reception of the encrypteddata is performed, the transmitting-side solution generating means beingadapted to generate a predetermined number of solutions mutuallyagreed-upon with the reception device and to generate a solution using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution when data to become the initial solution is transmittedto the reception device, and the encrypting means being adapted toencrypt the transmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, whereinthe reception device includes control means that consecutivelygenerates, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution, and adapted to be capable of generating the samesolutions as the transmitting-side solution generating means if it usesthe same initial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means.

In addition, the method includes processes in which the control means:receives the data to become the initial solution from the transmissiondevice; receives the encrypted data from the transmission device;generates a predetermined number, which had been agreed upon with thetransmission device, of solutions using the data to become the initialsolution received from the transmission device as an initial solution;generates a solution using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution; and decrypts theencrypted data using the solution generated using the last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution.

The former reception device can be realized with, for example, acomputer program described below. The use of the computer programenables the same operational effect as the former reception device to beachieved even with a general-purpose computer (for example, a personalcomputer or a mobile phone).

The computer program is a computer program that causes control means ofa reception device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: a transmission device capable of transmitting, via apredetermined network, encrypted data created by encrypting transmissionobject data that is data to become an object of transmission; and areception device capable of receiving the encrypted data from thetransmission device via the network, in combination with thetransmission device adapted to include: transmitting-side solutiongenerating means for consecutively generating, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution; encryptingmeans that uses the solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means to encrypt the transmission object data tocreate encrypted object data; transmitting-side communicating means forcommunicating with the reception device via the network; and means fortransmitting data to become the initial solution to the transmissiondevice when transmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed,the transmitting-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe reception device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is transmitted to the receptiondevice, and the encrypting means being adapted to encrypt thetransmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, thereception device including the control means that consecutivelygenerates, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution, and adapted to be capable of generating the samesolutions as the transmitting-side solution generating means if it usesthe same initial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means, to execute the processes of: receiving the data tobecome the initial solution from the transmission device; receiving theencrypted data from the transmission device; generating a predeterminednumber, which had been agreed upon with the transmission device, ofsolutions using the data to become the initial solution received fromthe transmission device as an initial solution; generating a solutionusing a last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution; and decrypting the encrypted data using thesolution generated using the last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution.

A same operational effect as the latter reception device can be achievedby the following method.

The method is a method to be executed by a reception device thatconstitutes a transmission/reception system including: a transmissiondevice capable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the transmission device adapted to include:transmitting-side solution generating means for consecutivelygenerating, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution; encrypting means that uses the solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means to encrypt thetransmission object data to create encrypted data; transmitting-sidecommunicating means for communicating with the reception device via thenetwork; and means for receiving data to become the initial solutionfrom the reception device when transmission/reception of the encrypteddata is performed, the transmitting-side solution generating means beingadapted to generate a predetermined number of solutions mutuallyagreed-upon with the reception device and to generate a solution using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution when data to become the initial solution is receivedfrom the reception device, and the encrypting means being adapted toencrypt the transmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, whereinthe reception device includes control means that consecutively generate,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution, and adapted to be capable of generating the same solutions asthe transmitting-side solution generating means if it uses the sameinitial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means.

In addition, the method includes processes in which the control means:transmits the data to become the initial solution to the transmissiondevice; receives the encrypted data from the transmission device;generates a predetermined number, which had been agreed upon with thetransmission device, of solutions using the data to become the initialsolution transmitted to the transmission device as an initial solution;generates a solution using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution; and decrypts theencrypted data using the solution generated using the last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution.

The latter reception device can be realized with, for example, acomputer program described below. The use of the computer programenables the same operational effect as the latter transmission device tobe achieved even with a general-purpose computer (for example, apersonal computer or a mobile phone).

The computer program is a computer program that causes control means ofa reception device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: a transmission device capable of transmitting, via apredetermined network, encrypted data created by encrypting transmissionobject data that is data to become an object of transmission; and areception device capable of receiving the encrypted data from thetransmission device via the network, in combination with thetransmission device adapted to include: transmitting-side solutiongenerating means for consecutively generating, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution; encryptingmeans that uses the solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means to encrypt the transmission object data tocreate encrypted data; transmitting-side communicating means forcommunicating with the reception device via the network; and means forreceiving data to become the initial solution from the reception devicewhen transmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, thetransmitting-side solution generating means being adapted to generate apredetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon with thereception device and to generate a solution using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution whendata to become the initial solution is received from the receptiondevice, and the encrypting means being adapted to encrypt thetransmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, thereception device including the control means that consecutivelygenerate, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution, and adapted to be capable of generating the samesolutions as the transmitting-side solution generating means if it usesthe same initial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means, to execute the processes of: transmitting the data tobecome the initial solution to the transmission device; receiving theencrypted data from the transmission device; generating a predeterminednumber, which had been agreed upon with the transmission device, ofsolutions using the data to become the initial solution transmitted tothe transmission device as an initial solution; generating a solutionusing a last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution; and decrypting the encrypted data using thesolution generated using the last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution.

The second invention according to the present application is as follows.

The second invention according to the present application is atransmission/reception system including: an authentication device whichis capable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypted datacreated by encrypting transmission object data that is data to become anobject of transmission, and authenticating validity of a plurality ofuser devices; and a plurality of user devices capable of receiving theencrypted data from the authentication device via the network when thevalidity of the user devices is authenticated by the authenticationdevice.

The authentication device of the transmission/reception system accordingto the second invention includes: authenticating-side solutiongenerating means for consecutively generating, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution; encryptingmeans that uses the solutions generated by the authenticating-sidesolution generating means to encrypt the transmission object data tocreate encrypted data; authenticating-side recording means forrecording, in association with each other, an ID that is informationunique to each user device and an initial solution of each user deviceand which is unique to each user device or a solution created from theinitial solution; authenticating-side communicating means forcommunicating with the user devices via the network; and authenticatingmeans for judging a validity of the user devices.

Each of the user devices of the transmission/reception system accordingto the second invention includes: user-side solution generating meansthat consecutively generates, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted to be capableof generating the same solutions as the authenticating-side solutiongenerating means by using the same initial solution that is used by theauthenticating-side solution generating means; decrypting means thatuses the solutions generated by the user-side solution generating meansto decrypt the encrypted data that had been encrypted by theauthentication device; user-side recording means for storing an ID ofthe user device; and user-side communicating means for communicatingwith the authentication device via the network.

In addition, the user device is adapted to transmit an ID recorded inthe user-side recording means and the initial solution or a solutiongenerated by the user-side solution generating means based on theinitial solution to the authentication device whentransmission/reception of the encrypted data is being performed, theauthenticating-side solution generating means of the authenticationdevice being adapted to read from the authenticating-side recordingmeans the initial solution associated with the same ID as the IDaccepted from the user device or a solution generated from the initialsolution and generates a solution based on the initial solution or thesolution, the authenticating means of the authentication device beingadapted to judge whether or not the solution generated by theauthenticating-side solution generating means is consistent with thesolution accepted from the user device and judge that the user device isvalid when the solutions are consistent, and when the authenticationdevice judges that the user device is valid, the authenticating-sidesolution generating means and the user-side solution generating meansare adapted to generate a mutually agreed-upon predetermined number ofsolutions, and subsequently generate solutions using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution,the encrypting means is adapted to encrypt the transmission object datausing the solution generated by the authenticating-side solutiongenerating means based on the new initial solution, and the decryptingmeans is adapted to decrypt the encrypted data using the solutiongenerated by the user-side solution generating means based on the newinitial solution.

Roughly speaking, the authentication device according to the secondinvention corresponds to the transmission device according to the firstinvention and the user device according to the second inventioncorresponds to the reception device according to the first invention.What is more, the authentication device according to the secondinvention is also adapted to be capable of authenticating a validity ofa transmission device using authenticating means.

The transmission/reception system according to the first invention isadapted such that data to become an initial solution is to be sent fromone of the transmission device and the reception device to the other.However, with the transmission/reception system according to the secondinvention, instead of allowing data to become an initial solution sentfrom one of the user device and the authentication device to the other,data to become an initial solution is adapted to be sent from the userdevice to the authentication device. This is because the authenticationdevice uses the accepted data to become the initial solution not onlyfor generating a predetermined number of solutions in the same manner aswhichever receives the data to become the initial solution among thetransmission device and the reception device according to the firstinvention, but also for authenticating a user device. Moreover, in thesecond invention, because data to become an initial solution is to beused for authenticating a user device, the data to become an initialsolution is solutions consecutively generated by the user device. Nosuch restriction is placed on data to become an initial solutionaccording to the first invention and any data is to suffice as the datato become the initial solution.

An initial solution used by a user device to generate solutions isunique to each user device. Consequently, solutions that can begenerated by each user device (several of the solutions are to be usedas initial solutions) are unique to each user device. In addition, eachuser device includes an ID unique to each user device and is adapted totransmit the ID together with data to become an initial solution whensending the data to the authentication device. The authentication deviceincludes authenticating-side recording means that records, inassociation with each other, an ID that is information unique to eachuser device and an initial solution of each user device which is uniqueto each user device or a solution created from the initial solution.Therefore, using the authenticating-side solution generating means, theauthentication device can reproduce and generate a solution that can begenerated from an initial solution associated with the ID sent from theuser device. The authenticating means of the authentication device isarranged to authenticate a user device based on whether or not aninitial solution sent from the user device can be generated from aninitial solution or a solution generated based on the initial solutionrecorded in the authenticating-side recording means in association withthe ID sent together with the initial solution.

A method of encrypted communication to be performed between the userdevice and the authentication device after the user device is judged tobe valid by the authentication device is similar to the case of thefirst invention. Therefore, the encrypted communication to be performedby the transmission/reception system according to the second inventionhas similar high encryption strength as the case of the first invention.

As described above, the authenticating-side recording means of theauthentication device records, in association with each other, an IDthat is information unique to each user device an initial solution ofeach user device which is unique to each user device or a solutioncreated from the initial solution. Both an initial solution of each userdevice and a solution generated from the initial solution need not berecorded on the authenticating-side recording means. As long an initialsolution allocated to each user device exists, the authenticating-sidesolution generating means is capable of generating the same solution asthe solution generated by the user-side solution generating means ofeach user device. However, as a general rule, since a solution alreadyused by each user device is not to be reused, it is wasteful to collatedata of an initial solution sent together with an ID from the userdevice for authentication purposes with the initial solution of the userdevice that is associated with the ID of the user device and allsolutions generated from the initial solution. For example, if asolution last used by the authentication device when transmission objectdata is changed into encrypted data is recorded on theauthenticating-side recording means in a state where the solution isassociated with an ID of each user device, a solution to be subsequentlygenerated at a user device is included in solutions to be generatedbased on the solution. Therefore, unnecessary collation of data of aninitial solution sent together with an ID from a user device forauthentication purposes can be eliminated.

In this case, the authentication device of the transmission/receptionsystem according to the second invention may be adapted such that afterthe transmission object data is encrypted and changed into encrypteddata, a solution that is last used among the solutions used whenencrypting the transmission object data is recorded in theauthenticating-side recording means, and after the encrypted data isdecrypted and changed into transmission object data, a solution that islast used along the solutions used when decrypting the encrypted data isrecorded in the user-side recording means.

The authenticating-side solution generating means and the user-sidesolution generating means of the authentication device and the userdevice included in the transmission/reception system according to thesecond invention generate solutions to be used when encryptingtransmission object data or decrypting encrypted data. In this case, oneor a plurality of solutions may respectively be used for encryptingtransmission object data and decrypting encrypted data.

In the case of the latter, the encrypting means may be adapted to dividethe transmission object data into pieces having a predetermined bitlength to create divisional transmission object data and subsequentlysequentially encrypt the respective pieces of divisional transmissionobject data using different solutions generated by theauthenticating-side solution generating means, and the decrypting meansmay be adapted to divide the encrypted data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional encrypted data andsubsequently sequentially decrypt the respective pieces of divisionalencrypted data using different solutions generated by the user-sidesolution generating means.

The present inventor proposes the authentication device to be includedin the transmission/reception system described above as one of thesecond inventions according to the present application.

A same operational effect as the authentication device can be achievedby the following method.

The method is a method to be executed by an authentication device thatconstitutes a transmission/reception system including: an authenticationdevice capable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission, and authenticating validity of aplurality of user devices; and a plurality of user devices capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the authentication device via thenetwork when the validity of the plurality of user devices isauthenticated by the authentication device, in combination with the userdevice adapted to include: user-side solution generating means forconsecutively generating, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution; decrypting means that usesthe solutions generated by the user-side solution generating means todecrypt encrypted data that had been encrypted by the authenticationdevice; user-side recording means that records an ID of the user device;user-side communicating means for communicating with the authenticationdevice via the network; and means for transmitting the ID and theinitial solution or a solution generated based on the initial solutionto the authentication device when transmission/reception of theencrypted data is performed, the user-side solution generating meansbeing adapted to generate a predetermined number of solutions mutuallyagreed-upon with the authentication device and to generate a solution byusing a last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptencrypted data accepted from the authentication device, after the userdevice is judged to be valid by the authentication device, using asolution generated by the user-side solution generating means using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution, wherein the authentication device includes:authenticating-side recording means that records, in association witheach other, an ID that is information unique to each user device and aninitial solution of each user device and which is unique to each userdevice or a solution created from the initial solution; and controlmeans that consecutively generates, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted to be capableof generating the same solutions as the user-side solution generatingmeans if it uses the same initial solution that is used by the user-sidesolution generating means.

In addition, the method includes processes of: receiving, from the userdevice, an ID of the user device and the initial solution or a solutiongenerated based on the initial solution; reading, from theauthenticating-side recording means, the initial solution associatedwith the same ID as the ID accepted from the user device or a solutiongenerated from the initial solution and generating a solution based onthe initial solution or the solution; judging whether or not thegenerated solution is consistent with the solution accepted from theuser device and, when the solutions are consistent, judging that theuser device is valid; generating, when the user device is judged to bevalid, a predetermined number of solutions agreed upon with the userdevice using the initial solution or a solution generated based on theinitial solution received from the user device as an initial solution;and encrypting the transmission object data using a solution generatedusing a last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution.

The authentication device can be realized with, for example, a computerprogram described below. The use of the computer program enables thesame operational effect as the authentication device to be achieved evenwith a general-purpose computer (for example, a personal computer).

The computer program is a computer program that causes control means ofan authentication device that constitutes a transmission/receptionsystem including: an authentication device capable of transmitting, viaa predetermined network, encrypted data created by encryptingtransmission object data that is data to become an object oftransmission, and authenticating validity of a plurality of userdevices; and a plurality of user devices capable of receiving theencrypted data from the authentication device via the network when thevalidity of the plurality of user devices is authenticated by theauthentication device, in combination with the user device adapted toinclude: user-side solution generating means for consecutivelygenerating, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generatedby the user-side solution generating means to decrypt encrypted datathat had been encrypted by the authentication device; user-siderecording means that records an ID of the user device; user-sidecommunicating means for communicating with the authentication device viathe network; and means for transmitting the ID and the initial solutionor a solution generated based on the initial solution to theauthentication device when transmission/reception of the encrypted datais performed, the user-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe authentication device and to generate a solution by using a lastsolution among the predetermined number of solutions as a new initialsolution, and the decrypting means being adapted to decrypt encrypteddata accepted from the authentication device, after the user device isjudged to be valid by the authentication device, using a solutiongenerated by the user-side solution generating means using a lastsolution among the predetermined number of solutions as a new initialsolution, wherein the authentication device includes:authenticating-side recording means that records, in association witheach other, an ID that is information unique to each user device and aninitial solution of each user device and which is unique to each userdevice or a solution created from the initial solution; and controlmeans that consecutively generates, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted to be capableof generating the same solutions as the user-side solution generatingmeans if it uses the same initial solution that is used by the user-sidesolution generating means, to execute the processes of: receiving, fromthe user device, an ID of the user device and the initial solution or asolution generated based on the initial solution; reading, from theauthenticating-side recording means, the initial solution associatedwith the same ID as the ID accepted from the user device or a solutiongenerated from the initial solution and generating a solution based onthe initial solution or the solution; judging whether or not thegenerated solution is consistent with the solution accepted from theuser device and, when the solutions are consistent, judging that theuser device is valid; generating, when the user device is judged to bevalid, a predetermined number of solutions agreed upon with the userdevice using the initial solution or a solution generated based on theinitial solution received from the reception device as an initialsolution; and encrypting the transmission object data using a solutiongenerated using a last solution among the predetermined number ofsolutions as a new initial solution.

The present inventor proposes the user device to be included in thetransmission/reception system described above as one of the secondinventions according to the present application.

A same operational effect as the user device can be achieved by thefollowing method.

The method is a method to be executed by a user device that constitutesa transmission/reception system including: an authentication devicecapable of transmitting, via a predetermined network, encrypted datacreated by encrypting transmission object data that is data to become anobject of transmission, and authenticating validity of a plurality ofuser devices; and a plurality of user devices capable of receiving theencrypted data from the authentication device via the network when thevalidity of the plurality of user devices is authenticated by theauthentication device, in combination with the authentication deviceadapted to include: authenticating-side solution generating means forconsecutively generating, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution; encrypting means that usesthe solutions generated by the authenticating-side solution generatingmeans to encrypt the transmission object data to create encrypted data;authenticating-side recording means that records, in association witheach other, an ID that is information unique to each user device and aninitial solution of each user device which is unique to each user deviceor a solution generated from the initial solution; authenticating-sidecommunicating means for communicating with the user device via thenetwork; authenticating means for authenticating a validity of the userdevice; and means for accepting the ID and the initial solution or asolution generated based on the initial solution from the user devicewhen transmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, theauthenticating-side solution generating means being adapted to read fromthe authenticating-side recording means, when the ID and the solutionhas been accepted, the initial solution associated with a same ID as theID accepted from the user device or a solution generated from theinitial solution and generate a solution based on the initial solutionor the solution, the authenticating means being adapted to judge whetheror not the solution generated by the authenticating-side solutiongenerating means is consistent with the solution accepted from the userdevice and, when the solutions are consistent, judge that the userdevice is valid, the authenticating-side solution generating means beingadapted to generate, when the user device is judged to be valid, apredetermined number of solutions agreed upon with the user device andgenerate a solution using a last solution among the predetermined numberof solutions as a new initial solution, and the encrypting means beingadapted to encrypt the transmission object data using a solutiongenerated by the authenticating-side solution generating means using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution, wherein the user device includes control means thatconsecutively generates, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted to be capableof generating the same solutions as the authenticating-side solutiongenerating means if it uses the same initial solution that is used bythe authenticating-side solution generating means.

In addition, the method includes processes in which the control means:transmits an ID of the user device and the initial solution or asolution generated based on the initial solution to the authenticationdevice; receives the encrypted data from the authentication device;generates a predetermined number, which had been agreed upon with theauthentication device, of solutions using the initial solution or asolution generated based on the initial solution transmitted to theauthentication device as an initial solution; and decrypts the encrypteddata using a solution generated using the last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution.

The user device can be realized with, for example, a computer programdescribed below. The use of the computer program enables the sameoperational effect as the user device to be achieved even with ageneral-purpose computer (for example, a personal computer or a mobilephone).

The computer program is a computer program that causes control means ofa user device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: an authentication device capable of transmitting, via apredetermined network, encrypted data created by encrypting transmissionobject data that is data to become an object of transmission, andauthenticating validity of a plurality of user devices; and a pluralityof user devices capable of receiving the encrypted data from theauthentication device via the network when the validity of the pluralityof user devices is authenticated by the authentication device, incombination with the authentication device adapted to include:authenticating-side solution generating means for consecutivelygenerating, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution; encrypting means that uses the solutions generatedby the authenticating-side solution generating means to encrypt thetransmission object data to create encrypted data; authenticating-siderecording means that records, in association with each other, an ID thatis information unique to each user device and an initial solution ofeach user device which is unique to each user device or a solutiongenerated from the initial solution; authenticating-side communicatingmeans for communicating with the user device via the network;authenticating means for authenticating a validity of the user device;and means for accepting the ID and the initial solution or a solutiongenerated based on the initial solution from the user device whentransmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, theauthenticating-side solution generating means being adapted to read fromthe authenticating-side recording means, when the ID and the solutionhas been accepted, the initial solution associated with a same ID as theID accepted from the user device or a solution generated from theinitial solution and generate a solution based on the initial solutionor the solution, the authenticating means being adapted to judge whetheror not the solution generated by the authenticating-side solutiongenerating means is consistent with the solution accepted from the userdevice and, when the solutions are consistent, judge that the userdevice is valid, the authenticating-side solution generating means beingadapted to generate, when the user device is judged to be valid, apredetermined number of solutions agreed upon with the user device andgenerate a solution using a last solution among the predetermined numberof solutions as a new initial solution, and the encrypting means beingadapted to encrypt the transmission object data using a solutiongenerated by the authenticating-side solution generating means using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution, wherein the user device includes the control meansthat consecutively generate, based on an initial solution that ispredetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solution anduniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted to be capableof generating the same solutions as the authenticating-side solutiongenerating means if it uses the same initial solution that is used bythe authenticating-side solution generating means, to execute processesfor: transmitting an ID of the user device and the initial solution or asolution generated based on the initial solution to the authenticationdevice; receiving the encrypted data from the authentication device;generating a predetermined number, which had been agreed upon with theauthentication device, of solutions using the initial solution or thesolution generated based on the initial solution transmitted to theauthentication device as an initial solution; and decrypting theencrypted data using the solution generated using the last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of atransmission/reception system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of acommunication device included in the transmission/reception systemillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an encryptedcommunication unit of the communication device included in thetransmission/reception system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of anencryption/decryption unit included in the encrypted communication unitillustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of processing executed duringtransmission in the transmission/reception system illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of atransmission/reception system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of anauthentication device included in the transmission/reception systemillustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an encryptedcommunication unit of the authentication device included in thetransmission/reception system illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of data recorded in aninitial common data group recording unit illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of processing executedduring transmission in the transmission/reception system illustrated inFIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention willbe described.

In both embodiments, same reference characters are to be attached toredundant objects, in which case redundant descriptions may be omittedfrom time to time.

<First Embodiment>

A transmission/reception system according to the present embodiment isschematically configured as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The transmission/reception system includes N-number of communicationdevices 1 from a communication device 1-1, a communication device 1-2, acommunication device 1-3, . . . , to a communication device 1-N. Thecommunication devices 1 are connected to each other by a predeterminednetwork 3. While not limited thereto, the network 3 according to thepresent embodiment is the Internet. The network 3 may be constituted bya network other than the Internet such as a LAN or may include a networkin addition to the Internet.

The communication device 1 includes a computer. The communicationdevices 1-1 to 1-N are adapted to be capable of transmitting/receivingdata among each other. With respect to the first invention according tothe present application, all communication devices 1 according to thepresent embodiment double as a transmission device and a receptiondevice. Any data may be mutually transmitted/received among thecommunication devices 1.

While not limited thereto, the communication device 1 according to thepresent embodiment is a general-purpose personal computer. Thecommunication device 1 may also be constituted by a mobile phone.

While not limited thereto, data to be transmitted/received among therespective communication devices 1-1 to 1-N in the present embodiment iselectronic mail data. In the present embodiment, electronic mails areencrypted and transmitted/received among the respective communicationdevices 1-1 to 1-N. While not necessarily limited thereto, thecommunication device 1 in the present embodiment divides data to betransmitted/received into packets to perform packet communication.

Next, a configuration of the communication device 1 will be described.With respect to the present first invention, configurations of therespective communication devices 1-1 to 1-N can be considered as beingthe same.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hardware configuration of the communication device1 that is shared by the respective communication devices 1-1 to 1-N.

The communication device 1 in the present embodiment is configured so asto include a CPU (central processing unit) 21, an HDD (hard disc drive)22, a ROM (read only memory) 23, a RAM (random access memory) 24, aninput device 25, a display device 26, an encrypted communication unit27, and a bus 28. The CPU 21, the HDD 22, the ROM 23, the RAM 24, theinput device 25, the display device 26, and the encrypted communicationunit 27 are adapted to be capable of exchanging data via the bus 28.

Recorded in the ROM 23 are predetermined programs, and data and the likenecessary for executing the programs. The programs include a programaccording to the present invention. The program according to the presentinvention may be adapted to execute processing to be described later incooperation with another program such as an OS or with other data. Inaddition, the program may be mounted onto the communication device 1prior to shipment of the communication device 1, or may be manuallyinstalled by a user after the shipment of the communication device 1.When installing the program into the communication device 1, the programmay be installed into the communication device 1 from a predeterminedrecording medium or by way of distribution via a network. Moreover, apart of the programs, data, and the like recorded on the ROM 23 mayalternatively be recorded on the HDD 22.

The HDD 22 is a large-capacity storage medium. As described above, theHDD 22 can take over a part of the functions of the ROM 23. In addition,the HDD 22 can take over a part of the functions of the RAM 24.Furthermore, programs and data not recorded on the ROM 23 and the RAM 24are recorded on the HDD 22. For example, in the present embodiment, aprogram of an OS that controls the communication device 1 is recorded onthe HDD 22.

The CPU 21 performs overall control of the communication device 1 andexecutes the processing described later based on the programs or datarecorded in the ROM 23. The RAM 24 is used as a work storage area whenthe CPU 21 performs processing to be described later. In addition, theRAM 24 is adapted such that the initial solutions, to be describedlater, are recorded as needed.

The input device 25 is adapted to enable input that is necessary when atleast one communication device 1 communicates with another communicationdevice 1. While not limited thereto, the input device 25 can beconstituted by a keyboard and a mouse. It is obvious that other knowninput means can be adopted as the input device 25.

The display device 26 is constituted by, for example, an LCD (liquidcrystal display). The display device 26 is adapted to display contentsinputted from the input device 25, contents of processing executed bythe communication device 1, and the like. It is obvious that knowndisplay means such as a CRT (cathode ray tube), an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel, and the like can be adopted as the display device26.

The encrypted communication unit 27 performs communication via thenetwork 3. The encrypted communication unit 27 is capable of performingencrypted communication using encrypted data for both transmission andreception. The encrypted communication unit 27 of one communicationdevice 1 can perform transmission/reception of encrypted data with theencrypted communication unit 27 of another communication device 1.Details of the encrypted communication to be performed by the encryptedcommunication unit 27 will be described later.

Next, a configuration of the encrypted communication unit 27 will bedescribed. FIG. 3 illustrates a block configuration diagram of theencrypted communication unit 27. A part of the functions of theencrypted communication unit 27 may be constituted by functions of theprograms described above. The present embodiment adopts such anarrangement.

The encrypted communication unit 27 includes an interface unit 31, apre-processing unit 32, an encryption/decryption unit 33, a common datageneration unit 34, a common data recording unit 34A, an algorithmgeneration unit 35, a key generation unit 36, a communication unit 37, aheader generation unit 38, and a connection unit 39.

Moreover, the communication device 1 may function as a transmissiondevice that transmits data in some cases and as a reception device thatreceives data in others. As such, the functions of the encryptedcommunication unit 27, the interface unit 31, the pre-processing unit32, the encryption/decryption unit 33, the common data generation unit34, the algorithm generation unit 35, the key generation unit 36, thecommunication unit 37, the header generation unit 38, and the connectionunit 39 may differ between cases where the communication device 1functions as a transmission device and cases where the communicationdevice 1 functions as a reception device. Therefore, in the followingdescription, both cases will be separately described by expressing theformer as “during transmission” and the latter as “during reception”.

The interface unit 31 exchanges data between the bus 28 and theencrypted communication unit 27.

During transmission, the interface unit 31 functions as follows. Theinterface unit 31 is adapted to send data accepted from the bus 28 (forexample, electronic mail data to be described later) to thepre-processing unit 32. In addition, the interface unit 31 is adaptedsuch that when accepting audio data from the bus 28, the interface unit31 notifies that audio data has been accepted to the common datageneration unit 34.

On the other hand, during reception, the interface unit 31 functions asfollows. The interface unit 31 is adapted to send data accepted fromanother communication device 1 via the network 3 (for example,electronic mail data to be described later) to the bus 28.

During transmission, the pre-processing unit 32 is adapted to dividedata received from the bus 28 (for example, electronic mail data) viathe interface unit 31 into pieces having a predetermined number of bitsto create packets. The pre-processing unit 32 is adapted to send thegenerated packets to the encryption/decryption unit 33.

During reception, the pre-processing unit 32 functions as follows. Thepre-processing unit 32 is adapted such that upon accepting electronicmail data formed into a sequence of packets from the communicationdevice 1 of the other party via the communication unit 37, thepre-processing unit 32 sends the electronic mail data to theencryption/decryption unit 33. In addition, the pre-processing unit 32is adapted such that upon accepting data from the communication device 1of the other party via the communication unit 37, the pre-processingunit 32 notifies the acceptance of the data to the common datageneration unit 34.

The common data generation unit 34 sequentially generates common data.The common data corresponds to a “solution” according to the presentinvention. In that sense, the common data generation unit 34 functionsduring transmission as transmitting-side solution generating meansaccording to the present application and functions during reception asreceiving-side solution generating means according to the presentapplication. It should be noted that in the description of theembodiments, “solution” and “common data” are synonymous.

Common data is generated based on an initial solution (initial commondata). The common data may be, for example, consecutive numbers such as1, 2, 3, . . . . In the present embodiment, common data is consecutivelygenerated based on a previous solution generated by the common datageneration unit 34. In the present embodiment, while not necessarilylimited thereto, a plurality of pieces of consecutively generated commondata becomes pseudorandom numbers performing nonlinear transition andexhibits chaotic behavior. Data of an initial solution necessary forgenerating common data is recorded in the common data recording unit 34Aat least in a state before a first communication is performed. Inaddition, the common data recording unit 34A is to record, whenevernecessary, previously generated common data that becomes necessary forgenerating common data. Writing and updating of common data to thecommon data recording unit 34A are adapted to be performed by the commondata generation unit 34.

When communication is to be performed between communication devices 1,common data respectively generated in the same order is the same commondata if the same initial solution is used, in which case the common datais to be shared between both communication devices 1 performing thecommunication. This mechanism will be described later.

The common data generation unit 34 commences generation of common dataupon receiving a notification to the effect that electronic mail datahas been received from the interface unit 31 during transmission ofelectronic mail data to another communication device 1, and uponreceiving a notification to the effect that electronic mail data hasbeen received from the pre-processing unit 32 during reception ofelectronic mail data from another communication device 1.

The generated common data is to be sent to the pre-processing unit 32,the encryption/decryption unit 33, the algorithm generation unit 35, andthe key generation unit 36 both during transmission and duringreception. Moreover, during transmission, the common data generationunit 34 is adapted to send data of an initial solution used toconsecutively generate solutions to the communication unit 37 as well asto the receiving communication device 1 via the communication unit 37.

A mechanism for generating common data that is a pseudorandom number inthe same manner inside two communication devices 1, namely, thetransmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communicationdevice 1, which are separated from each other will be described indetail later.

The encryption/decryption unit 33 functions to encrypt data acceptedfrom the pre-processing unit 32 (for example, electronic mail data) tocreate encrypted data during transmission, and to decrypt encrypted dataaccepted from the pre-processing unit 32 to restore common data duringreception.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the encryption/decryption unit 33 includes anencryption unit 33A and a decryption unit 33B, and is adapted such thatthe encryption unit 33A executes encryption and the decryption unit 33Bexecutes decryption. Encrypted data generated by encryption by theencryption unit 33A is to be sent to the connection unit 39. Datagenerated by decryption by the decryption unit 33B is to be sent to theinterface unit 31.

When performing encryption or decryption, the encryption unit 33A andthe decryption unit 33B of the encryption/decryption unit 33 both use analgorithm and a key. The algorithm and the key are to be supplied to theencryption/decryption unit 33 from the algorithm generation unit 35 andthe key generation unit 36.

The algorithm generation unit 35 generates an algorithm based on commondata accepted from the common data generation unit 34. The generatedalgorithm is to be sent from the algorithm generation unit 35 to theencryption/decryption unit 33.

The key generation unit 36 generates a key based on common data acceptedfrom the common data generation unit 34. The generated key is to be sentfrom the key generation unit 36 to the encryption/decryption unit 33.

While not necessarily limited thereto, in the present embodiment, boththe algorithm generation unit 35 and the key generation unit 36 areadapted to generate an algorithm or a key each time common data isaccepted from the common data generation unit 34. Methods of generatingan algorithm and a key will be described in detail later.

The header generation unit 38 functions only during transmission togenerate data of headers to be attached to each packet encrypted by theencryption/decryption unit 33 and changed into encrypted data. A headerincludes, for example, information for identifying the communicationdevice 1 that is a communication source, information for identifying thecommunication device 1 that is a communication destination, the amountof data included in the packet to which the header is attached, andother generally necessary information. Data to be included in a heateris to be sent in advance to the header generation unit from elsewheresuch as the interface unit 31. The header generation unit 38 is adaptedto send generated header data to the connection unit 39. The connectionunit 39 functions only during transmission to integrate a headergenerated by the header generation unit 38 to an encrypted packet (forexample, to a head of the packet) sent from the encryption/decryptionunit 33.

The communication unit 37 handles data exchange with the network 3.

During transmission, the communication unit 37 is adapted to accept datathat is a sequence of header-attached packets from the connection unit39 and send the data to another communication device 1 via the network3. During transmission, the communication unit 37 is adapted to senddata of an initial solution received from the common data generationunit 134 to the receiving communication device 1 via the network 3.

During reception, the communication unit 37 is adapted to acceptelectronic mail data from the communication device 1. The communicationunit 37 is adapted to send the data to the pre-processing unit 32.During reception, the communication unit 37 is adapted to accept initialsolution data from the transmitting communication device 1 via thenetwork 3. The communication unit 37 is adapted to send the initialsolution data accepted from the transmitting communication device 1 tothe common data generation unit 34.

Next, a flow of processing executed by the transmission/reception systemwill be described with reference to FIG. 5.

When communication is performed by the present communication system,first, one of the communication devices 1 to become the transmittingside generates electronic mail data that includes information foridentifying another communication device 1 to become the other party ofcommunication and data that requests communication with the othercommunication device 1 (S101).

Specifically, a user having a communication device 1 creates electronicmail data by operating the input device 25 of the user's owncommunication device 1 to input information for identifying anothercommunication device 1 to become the other party of communication (forexample, an electronic mail address usable by the other communicationdevice 1) and to input data of contents to become a transmission object.Electronic mail data is generated by, for example, a function of a knownmailer program of electronic mail recorded on the HDD 22 or the like.While the generated electronic mail data is to be encrypted later, inthe present embodiment, the generated electronic mail data istemporarily recorded on the HDD 22 before encryption.

Next, the transmitting communication device 1 sends an initial solutionto be used afterwards to encrypt the electronic mail to the receivingcommunication device 1 (S102).

The transmitting communication device 1 then encrypts the aforementionedelectronic mail data recorded on the HDD 22 (S103).

Next, the transmitting communication device 1 sends the encryptedelectronic mail data to the receiving communication device 1 via thenetwork 3 (S104).

Processing of S102 to S104 will be described in detail below.

Prior to transmission to the receiving communication device 1, theelectronic mail data is sent from the HDD 22 via the bus 28 to theencrypted communication unit 27 according to an instruction from the CPU21. The electronic mail data is encrypted at the encrypted communicationunit 27.

The electronic mail data is received by the interface unit 31 of theencrypted communication unit 27. The interface unit 31 sendscommunication request data to the pre-processing unit 32 and, at thesame time, notifies the common data generation unit 34 that electronicmail data has been received.

The pre-processing unit 32 divides the electronic mail data into pieceshaving a predetermined number of bits to generate a large number ofpackets. While not necessarily limited thereto, in the presentembodiment, communication request data is divided in sequence from thefront so as to ensure that the order of data is not reversed. Moreover,while not necessarily required to do so, the pre-processing unit 32according to the present embodiment is adapted to divide communicationrequest data such that the size of data contained in each packet is thesame. The packets generated by the pre-processing unit 32 are sent tothe encryption/decryption unit 33.

On the other hand, the common data generation unit 34 having receivedthe aforementioned notification from the interface unit 31 generatescommon data.

Generation of common data at the common data generation unit 34 is to beperformed as follows. The common data generation unit 34 generates thesame number of pieces of common data as the packets generated by thepre-processing unit 32 by dividing the communication request data.Moreover, while not limited thereto, common data according to thepresent embodiment is an 8 row-8 column matrix (X). While notnecessarily limited thereto, as described above, the common datageneration unit 34 in the present embodiment generates common data aspseudorandom numbers performing nonlinear transition.

Conceivable methods for consecutively generating common data so as toperform nonlinear transition include (1) including an exponentialcomputation of previous common data in the common data generationprocess, (2) including multiplication of two or more previous pieces ofcommon data in the common data generation process, and combining (1) and(2).

In the present embodiment, first common data (X₀₁) and second commondata (X₀₂) are recorded in advance in the common data recording unit 34Aas initial matrices that are initial solutions (initial common data)(the first common data and the second common data may alternatively berecorded in advance in the ROM 23 or the like). Moreover, while notnecessarily limited thereto, in the present embodiment, the initialmatrix included in each communication device 1 is adapted to be uniqueto each other.

The common data generation unit 34 reads the initial matrix from thecommon data recording unit 34A and uses the initial matrix to generatecommon data. The common data generation unit 34 sends the initial commondata read from the common data recording unit 34A to the communicationunit 37 before generating common data based on the read initial commondata. The communication unit 37 sends the initial common data to thereceiving communication device 1 via the network 3. Since thetransmitted initial common data is to be used by the receivingcommunication device 1 to decrypt encrypted electronic mail data as willbe described later, the initial common data need only be transmitted tothe receiving communication device 1 at an appropriate timing where thereceiving communication device 1 is able to receive the initial commondata when the decryption is performed by the receiving communicationdevice 1.

Subsequently, the common data generation unit 34 consecutively generatescommon data using the same initial common data that had been sent to thecommunication unit 37. The generation of common data is performed bysubstituting the initial common data into a common data generatingalgorithm retained by the common data generation unit 34.

First common data (X₁) is generated from initial common data asdescribed below.First common data (X ₁)=X ₀₂ X ₀₁+α (where α is an 8 row-8 columnmatrix)

This is the first piece of common data to be generated.

In this case, α represents environmental information. However,environmental information is not necessarily a requisite. α is arrangedas, for example, a data string expressed in “1” and “0” when appropriateinformation such as a date or an electronic mail address used by thetransmitting communication device 1 is converted into binaryrepresentation according to an appropriate rule and sequentially pluggedinto elements of an 8 row-8 column matrix. Moreover, if the number ofnumerals constituting the data string expressed in “1” and “0” when thedate or the like is converted into binary representation is less than 64which is the number of elements of an 8 row-8 column matrix, a may becreated by repetitively using the data string made up of “1” and “0”whose number is smaller than 64. If the number of numerals constitutingthe data string is greater than 64, then a may be created by, forexample, deleting unnecessary numerals.

The common data generation unit 34 generates second common data (X₂) inthe following manner.Second common data (X ₂)=X ₁ X ₀₂+α

In a similar manner, the common data generation unit 34 generates thirdcommon data, fourth common data, . . . , Nth common data as follows.Third common data (X ₃)=X ₂ X ₁+αFourth common data (X ₄)=X ₃ X ₂+αNth common data (X _(N))=X _(N-1) X _(N-2)+α

Common data which is generated in this manner and whose number is thesame as the number of packets is sent to the algorithm generation unit35 and the key generation unit 36 and, at the same time, retained in thecommon data generation unit 34 for generating the next piece of commondata. In the present embodiment, in order to generate Nth common data(X_(N)), N−1 th common data (X_(N-1)) and N−2th common data (X_(N-2))or, in other words, the two pieces of common data generated immediatelybefore the Nth common data (X_(N)) are to be used. Therefore, whengenerating new common data, the common data generation unit 34 mustretain two pieces of common data generated immediately previously (or,some entity that is not the common data generation unit 34 must retainthe two pieces of common data).

Common data generated in this manner is chaotic data that performsnonlinear transition and becomes pseudorandom numbers.

Moreover, α that represents environmental information need notnecessarily be used whenever common data is generated. For example, thefirst common data may be generated by using α as expressed by(X ₁)=X ₀₂ X ₀₁+α,

and the second and subsequent common data may be generated by using(X_(N))=X_(N-1)X_(N-2) which is an expression that does not use α.

In addition to using the expressionNth common data (X _(N))=X _(N-1) X _(N-2) (+α)

described earlier when calculating the Nth common data, generated commondata can conceivably be adapted to perform nonlinear transition by usingan expression such as those listed below.

Moreover, the parentheses around a signify that a is not necessarily arequisite when generating all common data including the casesexemplified below or when generating the second and subsequent commondata.

Expressions that can be used includeNth common data (X _(N))=(X _(N-1))^(P)(+α),  (a)Nth common data (X _(N))=(X _(N-1))^(P)(X _(N-2))^(Q)(X _(N-3))^(R)(X_(N-4))^(S)(+α), and  (b)Nth common data (X _(N))=(X _(N-1))^(P)+(X _(N-2))^(Q)(+α).  (c)

P. Q, R, and S respectively denote predetermined constants. In addition,it is required that one initial matrix is recorded when using expression(a), two initial matrices when using expression (c), and four initialmatrices when using expression (b) respectively in the common datarecording unit 34A. Moreover, the present embodiment is adapted suchthat when a series of encryption or decryption is completed andgeneration of subsequent common data temporarily becomes unnecessary,common data that is generated last is to be used by the common datageneration unit 34 to overwrite the common data recording unit 34A as anew initial matrix.

The common data generation unit 34 is capable of sequentially generatingcommon data as described above.

At this point, the common data generation unit 34 according to thepresent embodiment first generates an appropriate number of common data,wherein the appropriate number has been agreed upon between thetransmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communicationdevice 1. While it is simplest to set the “appropriate number agreedupon between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receivingcommunication device 1” so as to be shared among all communicationdevices 1 and to be fixed, this need not necessarily be the case.

For example, the “number” can alternatively be variably adapted to bedetermined based on a time where initial common data had beentransmitted from the transmitting communication device 1 to thereceiving communication device 1, a sum of numbers included in a matrixof initial common data transmitted from the transmitting communicationdevice 1 to the receiving communication device 1, or the like. Inaddition, for example, by arranging the aforementioned “number” to bedetermined based on a difference between a sequence created from anelectronic mail address of the transmitting communication device 1 and asequence created from an electronic mail address of the receivingcommunication device 1 or the like, the “number” is to vary depending ona combination of the transmitting communication device 1 and thereceiving communication device 1. While the above is merely exemplary,it is obvious that the aforementioned “number” may alternatively beadapted to be determined based on a combination of the above.

For the purpose of simplification, it is assumed that the “appropriatenumber agreed upon between the transmitting communication device 1 andthe receiving communication device 1” is to be shared among allcommunication devices 1 and to be fixed, and that the number is set to10.

After reading initial common data recorded in the common data recordingunit 34A, ten pieces of common data are generated, and the initialcommon data recorded in the common data recording unit 34A isoverwritten by the piece of common data last generated. Moreover, “thepiece of common data last generated” may exist in plurality if aplurality of pieces of common data is required to generate subsequentcommon data. In the present embodiment, since common data is generatedusing the expression Nth common data (X_(N))=X_(N-1)X_(N-2) (+α), apiece of common data generated ninth and a piece of common datagenerated tenth after reading the initial common data recorded in thecommon data recording unit 34A are to be recorded in the common datarecording unit 34A. The pieces of common data are to be the new initialcommon data.

Using the new initial common data, the common data generation unit 34generates new common data using the same method as described above.However, the common data generation unit 34 may arrange for anexpression to be used when generating common data using the new initialcommon data so as to differ from the expression that was used whengenerating the new initial common data. In this case, the agreement mustbe shared between the transmitting communication device 1 and thereceiving communication device 1.

The common data generation unit 34 sends common data that issequentially generated based on the new initial solution to thealgorithm generation unit 35 and the key generation unit 36.

Upon accepting the common data from the common data generation unit 34,the algorithm generation unit 35 generates an algorithm and the keygeneration unit 36 generates a key.

An example of a method of generating an algorithm and a key is asdescribed below. In the present embodiment, both algorithms and keys arecreated using common data.

In the present embodiment, the algorithm generation unit 35 generates analgorithm in the following manner.

An algorithm according to the present embodiment is defined as “ifcommon data to be encrypted is assumed to be an 8 row-8 column matrix Y,then a matrix resulting from raising an 8 row-8 column matrix X that iscommon data to the a-th power and rotating the same clockwise by n×90degrees is multiplied by Y to obtain encrypted data”.

While a predetermined fixed constant may sometimes be set as a, in thepresent embodiment, a is a number that varies based on common data. Inother words, an algorithm according to the present embodiment variesdepending on common data. For example, a may be defined as a remainderof a division of a number obtained by adding up all numbers that arematrix elements included in common data that is an 8 row-8 column matrixby 5 (however, if the remainder is 0 then a=1).

In addition, the aforementioned n is a key and is a predeterminednumber. n is to be fixed if the number of keys is constant. However, aswill be described below, the key is to vary depending on common data inthe present embodiment. In other words, this n according to the presentembodiment also varies depending on common data.

However, an algorithm can also be determined as being something else. Inaddition, an algorithm may also be set not to vary, or in other words,an algorithm may be fixed. In addition to newly creating an algorithm inthe manner described above, the generation of an algorithm also includesa case where, using common data (for example, by focusing on a part ofcommon data), one algorithm is selected from a plurality of algorithmsprepared in advance.

In the present embodiment, the algorithm generation unit 35 generates analgorithm each time common data is received from the common datageneration unit 34 and sends the algorithm to the encryption unit 33A ofthe encryption/decryption unit 33.

On the other hand, the key generation unit 36 generates a key inparallel with the generation of an algorithm by the algorithm generationunit 35. As described above, the key generation unit 36 generates a keybased on common data. In addition to newly creating a key in the mannerdescribed below, the generation of a key also includes a case where,using common data (for example, by focusing on a part of common data),one key is selected from a plurality of keys prepared in advance.

In the present embodiment, the key generation unit 36 generates a key inthe following manner.

A key according to the present embodiment is assumed to be a numberobtained by adding up all numbers that are matrix elements included incommon data that is an 8 row-8 column matrix. Therefore, a key accordingto the present embodiment varies depending on common data. A key canalso be determined as being another entity. For example, a key can bedefined as being the lower two digits of a number obtained by adding upall numbers that are matrix elements included in common data that is an8 row-8 column matrix.

In the present embodiment, the key generation unit 36 generates a keyeach time common data is received from the common data generation unit34 and sends the key to the encryption unit 33A of theencryption/decryption unit 33.

The encryption unit 33A encrypts data accepted from the pre-processingunit 32 based on the algorithm accepted from the algorithm generationunit 35 and the key accepted from the key generation unit 36. Asdescribed above, packets created by dividing electronic mail data are tobe encrypted at this point.

As described above, an algorithm is defined as “if common data to beencrypted is assumed to be an 8 row-8 column matrix Y, then a matrixresulting from raising an 8 row-8 column matrix X that is common data tothe a-th power and rotating the same clockwise by n×90 degrees ismultiplied by Y to obtain encrypted data”, and n that is a key is anumber determined by the method such as described above.

For example, if a is 3 and n is 6, then encryption is performed bymultiplying an 8 row-8 column matrix, which is obtained by rotating an 8row-8 column matrix obtained by raising X to the 3rd power by 6×90degrees=540 degrees, by common data to be encrypted.

The generated data is encrypted data.

The encrypted data is sent to the connection unit 39.

Each time encrypted data is generated, the header generation unit 38generates header data that is data to become a header of encrypted data.A header includes information such as described above. A header includesat least information for identifying which of the communication devices1 is the communication source of the packet and information foridentifying which of the communication devices 1 is the communicationdestination of the packet. Moreover, in order to conform the number ofpieces of encrypted data generated by the encryption unit 33A to thenumber of pieces of header data generated by the header generation unit38, for example, the encryption unit 33A need only notify the headergeneration unit 38 that encryption of a packet has been performed everytime the encryption unit 33A encrypts a packet or notify the number ofencryptions performed by the encryption unit 33A. Otherwise, thepre-processing unit 32 may notify the header generation unit 38 of thenumber of generated packets.

The header generation unit 38 sends the generated headers to theconnection unit 39.

The connection unit 39 connects a header accepted from the headergeneration unit 38 to the head of encrypted data (encrypted packet)received from the encryption unit 33A. The connection unit 39 performsthis process on all packets.

Packets to which headers have been connected are sent from theconnection unit 39 to the communication unit 37.

The communication unit 37 sends the packets to the receivingcommunication device 1 via the network 3. Each packet is to be sent tothe proper communication device 1 based on the information written inthe header.

As described above, initial common data is sent from the transmittingcommunication device 1 to the receiving communication device 1. The sentinitial common data is to be received by the receiving communicationdevice 1 (S201).

As described above, encrypted electronic mail data is packetized andsent from the transmitting communication device 1 to the receivingcommunication device 1. The sent electronic mail data is to be receivedby the receiving communication device 1 (S202).

Both the initial common data and the electronic mail data are receivedby the communication unit 37 included in the encrypted communicationunit 27 of the receiving communication device 1.

Next, the receiving communication device 1 decrypts the electronic maildata (S203).

The decryption is performed by the encrypted communication unit 27.

The communication unit 37 sends received packets to the pre-processingunit 32 one after another. Upon receiving the packets, thepre-processing unit 32 deletes the header from each packet and sends anotification to the common data generation unit 34 to the effect thatpackets have been received.

Upon receiving a notification from the pre-processing unit 32 to theeffect that packets have been received, the common data generation unit34 generates common data.

The method of generating common data at the common data generation unit34 is the same as during transmission described above. That is, in thepresent embodiment, common data is generated using initial common dataand environmental information.

The initial common data used by the common data generation unit 34 issent from the transmitting communication device 1. The initial commondata is recorded in the common data recording unit 34A via the commondata generation unit 34 from the communication unit 37 having receivedthe initial common data from the transmitting communication device 1.

As done so by the common data generation unit 34 of the transmittingcommunication device 1, the common data generation unit 34 of thereceiving communication device 1 generates, based on initial common datareceived from the transmitting communication device 1, a predeterminednumber (10) of pieces of common data agreed upon in advance between thetransmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communicationdevice 1, and records the generated common data in the common datarecording unit 34A. Subsequently, the common data recording unit 34Asets the 9th and 10th pieces of common data last generated as newinitial common data, and consecutively generates common data based onthe new initial common data.

The common data generated based on the new initial common data is sentfrom the common data generation unit 34 to the algorithm generation unit35 and the key generation unit 36.

The algorithm generation unit 35 and the key generation unit 36 generatean algorithm and a key every time common data is accepted from thecommon data generation unit 34. The method of generating an algorithmand a key is the same as during transmission.

The algorithm generation unit 35 uses common data when generating analgorithm. A process in which the algorithm generation unit 35 of thereceiving communication device 1 generates an algorithm is the same asthe process in which the algorithm generation unit 35 of thetransmitting communication device 1 generates an algorithm. Sincealgorithms generated in the same order by the transmitting communicationdevice 1 and the receiving communication device 1 are generated usingthe same common data, the algorithms are to be always the same.

On the other hand, the key generation unit 36 uses common data whengenerating a key. A process in which the key generation unit 36 of thereceiving communication device 1 generates a key is the same as theprocess in which the key generation unit 36 of the transmittingcommunication device 1 generates a key. Since keys generated in the sameorder by the transmitting communication device 1 and the receivingcommunication device 1 are generated using the same common data, thekeys are to be always the same.

The algorithm generation unit 35 and the key generation unit 36 send thegenerated algorithm or key to the decryption unit 33B of theencryption/decryption unit 33.

The decryption unit 33B decrypts the encrypted data received from thepre-processing unit 32. When performing the decryption, the decryptionunit 33B uses the algorithm and the key received from the algorithmgeneration unit 35 and the key generation unit 36.

More specifically, based on the algorithm (a definition expressed as “ifcommon data to be encrypted is assumed to be an 8 row-8 column matrix Y,then a matrix resulting from raising an 8 row-8 column matrix X that iscommon data to the a-th power and rotating the same clockwise by n×90degrees is multiplied by Y to obtain encrypted data”) accepted from thealgorithm generation unit 35, the decryption unit 33B generates analgorithm for performing decryption (a definition expressed as “ifencrypted data is assumed to be an 8 row-8 column matrix Z, then aninverse matrix of a matrix resulting from raising an 8 row-8 columnmatrix X that is common data to the a-th power and rotating the sameclockwise by n×90 degrees is multiplied by Y to obtain plain text dataprior to encryption”), and performs decryption by performing acomputation according to the above definition using the key receivedfrom the key generation unit 36.

In this manner, the decryption unit 33B sequentially decrypts encrypteddata sent from the pre-processing unit 32 and decrypts electronic maildata divided into packets.

The decryption unit 33B sends the decrypted electronic mail data in onelump to the interface unit 31. The data is recorded as necessary ontothe HDD 22, the RAM 24, and the like, and is appropriately used by thereceiving communication device 1.

<Modification>

In the first embodiment, initial common data is transmitted from thetransmitting communication device 1 to the receiving communicationdevice 1.

However, initial common data may also be adapted to be sent from thereceiving communication device 1 to the transmitting communicationdevice 1.

In this case, for example, prior to electronic mail data being sent fromthe transmitting communication device 1 to the receiving communicationdevice 1, a reception request that requests reception of an electronicmail is sent from the transmitting communication device 1 to thereceiving communication device 1. Subsequently, the receivingcommunication device 1 having received the reception request sends theinitial common data recorded in the common data recording unit 34A ofthe receiving communication device 1 to the transmitting communicationdevice 1 via the common data generation unit 34, the communication unit37, and the network 3. Due to such an arrangement, the transmittingcommunication device 1 and the receiving communication device 1 are ableto share initial common data.

The transmitting-side common data generation unit 34 and thereceiving-side common data generation unit 34 need only generate newinitial common data based on the received or transmitted initial commondata and generate common data to be used for encryption or decryptionbased on the new initial common data.

<Second Embodiment>

A communication system according to a second embodiment will bedescribed.

The communication system according to the second embodiment includescommunication devices 1-1 to 1-N configured in approximately the samemanner as in the first embodiment, and an authentication device 2. Thedevices are adapted to be capable of connecting to each other through anetwork 3.

The communication devices 1-1 to 1-N according to the second embodimentare adapted to be capable of performing encrypted communication witheach other in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In addition,the communication devices 1-1 to 1-N according to the second embodimentare also adapted to be capable of connecting to the authenticationdevice 2. As for communication between the communication device 1 andthe authentication device 2, as will be described later, datatransmission from the communication device 1 to the authenticationdevice 2 is arranged to be performed in plain text while datatransmission from the authentication device 2 to the communicationdevice 1 is arranged to be encrypted communication. Moreover,communication between the authentication device 2 and the communicationdevice 1 in the present embodiment is to be carried out via ageneral-purpose Internet browser.

In the second embodiment, the authentication device 2 is adapted toauthenticate the communication devices 1-1 to 1-N and to transmit datasuch as data of contents of a moving image to those authenticated asbeing appropriate among the communication devices 1-1 to 1-N.

The communication device 1 according to the second embodiment isconfigured the same as the communication device 1 according to the firstembodiment. However, initial common data recorded in respective commondata recording units 34A of the communication devices 1-1 to 1-Naccording to the second embodiment is adapted to be unique to eachother.

Fundamental portions of the authentication device 2 is configured thesame as those of the communication device 1 according to the firstembodiment.

Next, a configuration of the authentication device 2 will be described.While not limited thereto, the authentication device 2 in the presentembodiment is constituted by a general-purpose computer. Moreover, inlight of known techniques, it is obvious that the authentication device2 can be provided divided into two or more devices such as atransmission server that transmits content data, to be described later,and an authentication server that performs authentication, to bedescribed later.

FIG. 7 illustrates a hardware configuration of the authentication device2.

In the present embodiment, the authentication device 2 includes a CPU121, an HDD 122, a ROM 123, a RAM 124, an input device 125, a displaydevice 126, an encrypted communication unit 127, and a bus 128. The CPU121, the HDD 122, the ROM 123, the RAM 124, the input device 125, thedisplay device 126, and the encrypted communication unit 127 are adaptedto be capable of exchanging data via the bus 128.

Functions of the CPU 121, the HDD 122, the ROM 123, the RAM 124, theinput device 125, the display device 126, the encrypted communicationunit 127, and the bus 128 are approximately the same as the functions ofthe CPU 21, the HDD 22, the ROM 23, the RAM 24, the input device 25, thedisplay device 26, the encrypted communication unit 27, and the bus 28of the communication device 1. Moreover, the aforementioned content datais recorded on the HDD 122 according to the second embodiment.

Recorded in the ROM 123 are predetermined programs, and data and thelike necessary for executing the programs. The programs include aprogram that provides the authentication device 2 with the functions ofthe authentication device according to the present invention. Theprograms also include a program for realizing the browser describedabove. Including the programs described above, the programs retained bythe authentication device 2 may be executed independently in some casesand executed in cooperation with another program such as an OS inothers.

The CPU 121 performs overall control of the authentication device 2 andexecutes the processing described later based on the programs or datarecorded in the ROM 123. The RAM 124 is used as a work storage area whenthe CPU 121 performs processing to be described later. In addition, theRAM 124 is adapted such that the initial solutions, to be describedlater, are recorded as needed.

A known input device such as a keyboard and a mouse may be used as theinput device 125. The input device 125 is to be used when inputting aninitial solution or the like. The display device 126 is constituted by,for example, an LCD. However, the input device 125 and the displaydevice 126 are not necessarily used during an implementation of theinvention of the method according to the present application.

The encrypted communication unit 127 performs communication with thecommunication device 1 via the network 3. In the present application, asdescribed above, the communication to be performed between the encryptedcommunication unit 127 and the communication device 1 is encryptedcommunication.

Next, a configuration of the encrypted communication unit 127 will bedescribed. FIG. 8 illustrates a block configuration diagram of theencrypted communication unit 127.

It should be noted that the term “during transmission” as used in thefollowing description signifies a case where data is transmitted fromthe authentication device 2 to the communication device 1 and primarilymeans during transmission of content data. In addition, the term “duringreception” as used in the following description signifies a case wheredata is received by the authentication device 2 from the communicationdevice 1 and means during reception of an ID that is information foridentifying the communication device 1 and initial common data.

The encrypted communication unit 127 includes an interface unit 131, apre-processing unit 132, an encryption unit 133, a common datageneration unit 134, an initial common data group recording unit 134A,an algorithm generation unit 135, a key generation unit 136, acommunication unit 137, a header generation unit 138, a connection unit139, and an authentication unit C. The interface unit 131, thepre-processing unit 132, the encryption unit 133, the common datageneration unit 134, the algorithm generation unit 135, the keygeneration unit 136, the communication unit 137, the header generationunit 138, and the connection unit 139 have approximately the samefunctions as the interface unit 31, the pre-processing unit 32, theencryption/decryption unit 33, the common data generation unit 34, thealgorithm generation unit 35, the key generation unit 36, thecommunication unit 37, the header generation unit 38, and the connectionunit 39 of the communication device 1.

The interface unit 131 exchanges data between the bus 128 and theencrypted communication unit 127.

During transmission, the interface unit 131 functions as follows. Theinterface unit 131 is adapted to send data accepted from the bus 128 (inthe present embodiment, content data) to the pre-processing unit 132. Inaddition, the interface unit 131 is adapted such that when acceptingcontent data from the bus 128, the interface unit 131 notifies thatcontent data has been accepted to the common data generation unit 134.

On the other hand, the interface unit 131 performs no particularfunction during reception.

During transmission, the pre-processing unit 132 is adapted to dividecontent data received from the bus 128 via the interface unit 131 intopieces having a predetermined number of bits to create packets. Thepre-processing unit 132 is adapted to send the generated packets to theencryption unit 133.

During reception, when the pre-processing unit 132 accepts communicationrequest data, to be described later, from the communication device 1,the pre-processing unit 132 is adapted to extract an ID from thecommunication request data and send the ID to the common data generationunit 134.

The common data generation unit 134 consecutively generates common datausing the same method as the common data generation unit 34 of thecommunication device 1. By using the same initial common data, commondata generated by the common data generation unit 134 becomes the sameas those generated by the common data generation unit 34 of thecommunication device 1. The common data generation unit 134 commencesgeneration of common data upon receiving a notification to the effectthat content data has been received from the interface unit 131 duringtransmission, and upon receiving a notification to the effect thatcontent data has been received from the pre-processing unit 132 duringreception.

During transmission, the generated common data is to be sent to thepre-processing unit 132, the encryption unit 133, the algorithmgeneration unit 135, and the key generation unit 136. During reception,the common data is to be sent to the authentication unit C.

When generating common data, initial common data which is unique to eachcommunication device 1 and which is recorded in the initial common datagroup recording unit 134A is to be used. A unique ID allocated to eachcommunication device 1 and initial common data are recorded in theinitial common data group recording unit 134A in a state where, forexample, the ID and the initial common data are connected to each otheras illustrated in FIG. 9. Moreover, while initial common data of eachcommunication device 1 is to be updated according to a method describedlater, management of the initial common data is to be performed by thecommon data generation unit 134.

During transmission, the encryption unit 133 encrypts content dataaccepted from the common data generation unit 134 to create encrypteddata. The encryption unit 133 performs no particular function duringreception. The encryption unit 133 can be considered as being theencryption/decryption unit 33 of the communication device 1 but withoutthe function of the decryption unit 33B.

Encrypted data generated by encryption by the encryption unit 133 is tobe sent to the connection unit 139.

When performing encryption, the encryption unit 133 uses an algorithmand a key. The algorithm and the key are to be supplied to theencryption unit 133 from the algorithm generation unit 135 and the keygeneration unit 136.

The algorithm generation unit 135 generates an algorithm based on commondata accepted from the common data generation unit 134. The generatedalgorithm is to be sent from the algorithm generation unit 135 to theencryption unit 133.

The key generation unit 136 generates a key based on common dataaccepted from the common data generation unit 134. The generated key isto be sent from the key generation unit 136 to the encryption unit 133.

While not necessarily limited thereto, in the present embodiment, boththe algorithm generation unit 135 and the key generation unit 136 are togenerate an algorithm or a key each time common data is accepted fromthe common data generation unit 134.

The header generation unit 138 functions only during transmission togenerate data of headers to be attached to each packet encrypted by theencryption unit 133 and changed into encrypted data. A header includes,for example, information on a communication source, information on acommunication destination, the amount of data included in the packet towhich the header is attached, and other generally necessary information.The header generation unit 138 is adapted to send generated header datato the connection unit 139. The connection unit 139 functions onlyduring transmission to integrate a header generated by the headergeneration unit 138 to an encrypted packet (for example, to a head ofthe packet) sent from the encryption unit 133.

The communication unit 137 handles data exchange with the network 3.

During transmission, the communication unit 137 accepts data that is asequence of header-attached packets from the connection unit 139 andsends the data to the communication device 1 via the network 3.

During reception, the communication unit 137 accepts transmissionrequest data including an ID and initial common data from thecommunication device 1 via the network 3. While the transmission requestdata is sent from the communication unit 137 to the pre-processing unit132, initial common data included in the transmission request data issent to the authentication unit C.

Next, a flow of processing executed by the transmission/reception systemwill be described with reference to FIG. 9.

Since the communication performed among the communication devices 1-1 to1-N is the same as in the first embodiment, a description thereof willbe omitted. Thus, the flow of processing executed by thetransmission/reception system will be described by focusing on thecommunication between the communication device 1 and the authenticationdevice 2.

Although the communication between the communication device 1 and theauthentication device 2 is executed as transmission of content data fromthe authentication device 2 to the communication device 1,authentication of the communication device 1 by the authenticationdevice 2 is to be performed prior to the transmission of content data.

A specific processing flow is as follows.

First, transmission request data is generated by the communicationdevice 1 (S301). The transmission request data includes contentsrequesting transmission of content data to the authentication device 2,an ID of the communication device 1, and initial common data recorded inthe common data recording unit 34A of the communication device 1.

Specifically, a user having the communication device 1 generatestransmission request data by operating the input device 25 of the user'sown communication device 1 to, for example, use a general-purposebrowser so as to access the authentication device 2 and input the user'sown ID on a screen. At this point, for example, according to aninstruction from the CPU 21, the common data generation unit 34 readsinitial common data from the common data recording unit 34A and sendsthe initial common data to the communication unit 37 to have the initialcommon data be included in transmission request data. The transmissionrequest data into which the initial common data is included by thecommunication unit 37 is sent to the authentication device 2 via thenetwork 3 (S302).

The transmission request data transmitted from the communication device1 is received by the authentication device 2 via the network 3 (S401).Specifically, the authentication device 2 receives the transmissionrequest data at the communication unit 137 included in the encryptedcommunication unit 127 thereof.

The authentication device 2 having received the transmission requestdata authenticates the communication device 1 having transmitted thetransmission request data (S402).

Authentication is performed as follows.

The transmission request data received by the communication unit 137 issent to the pre-processing unit 132. In addition, the communication unit137 sends the initial common data included in the transmission requestdata to the authentication unit C.

The pre-processing unit 132 reads ID data from the transmission requestdata and sends the ID data to the common data generation unit 134. Thecommon data generation unit 134 reads the initial common data connectedto the ID from the initial common data group recording unit 134A, andsends the initial common data to the authentication unit C.

When the communication device 1 having sent the transmission requestdata had not communicated with another communication device 1 prior tothe present authentication and has not been authenticated by theauthentication device 2 prior to the present authentication, the initialcommon data sent from the communication device 1 and the initial commondata recorded in the initial common data group recording unit 134A ofthe authentication device 2 are both initial-state initial common dataand are consistent with each other. When the initial common data sentfrom the communication device 1 and the initial common data recorded inthe initial common data group recording unit 134A of the authenticationdevice 2 are consistent with each other as described above, theauthentication unit C judges that the communication device 1 having sentthe transmission request data is valid.

When the communication device 1 having sent the transmission requestdata had not communicated with another communication device 1 prior tothe present authentication but has been authenticated by theauthentication device 2 prior to the present authentication, since theinitial common data recorded in the common data recording unit 34A ofthe communication device 1 and the initial common data recorded in theinitial common data group recording unit 134A of the authenticationdevice 2 have both been updated according a method such as describedbelow (which is ultimately the same as the method described in the firstembodiment) by the same common data generated afterwards, the initialcommon data sent from the communication device 1 and the initial commondata recorded in the initial common data group recording unit 134A ofthe authentication device 2 become consistent with each other.Similarly, in this case, the authentication unit C judges that thecommunication device 1 having sent the transmission request data isvalid.

The same applies to a case where the communication device 1 having sentthe transmission request data had communicated with anothercommunication device 1 prior to the present authentication but has beenauthenticated by the authentication device 2 prior to the presentauthentication and has not communicated with another communicationdevice 1 after the prior authentication.

When the communication device 1 having sent the transmission requestdata has not been previously authenticated by the authentication device2 and had communicated with another communication device 1 prior to thepresent authentication, or when the communication device 1 hadcommunicated with another communication device 1 prior to the presentauthentication and has not been subsequently authenticated by theauthentication device 2, since the number or pieces of common datagenerated by the common data generation unit 34 of the communicationdevice 1 is greater than the number of pieces of common data generatedby the common data generation unit 134 of the authentication device 2,initial common data of the common data generation unit 34 of thecommunication device 1 is in a state of being overwritten by common datato be generated in the future (common data not yet generated) by thecommon data generation unit 134 of the authentication device 2. In otherwords, the initial common data sent from the communication device 1 isnot consistent with the initial common data recorded in the initialcommon data group recording unit 134A of the authentication device 2. Inthis case, the authentication unit C causes the common data generationunit 134 to generate a next piece of common data based on the initialcommon data sent to the authentication unit C. The common datageneration unit 134 sends the generated next piece of common data to theauthentication unit C. When the next piece of common data generated bythe common data generation unit 134 is consistent with the initialcommon data sent from the communication device 1, the authenticationunit C judges that the communication device 1 having sent thetransmission request data is valid. When the next piece of common datagenerated by the common data generation unit 134 is not consistent withthe initial common data sent from the communication device 1, theauthentication unit C causes the common data generation unit 134 togenerate a next piece of common data based on the initial common datasent to the authentication unit C, and repeats the processing describedabove. As already described, the common data generation unit 34 of thecommunication device 1 and the common data generation unit 134 of theauthentication device 2 are able to generate the same common data whenthe same initial common data is used. Therefore, unless thecommunication device 1 is not a spoof by a third party and as long asthe initial common data sent from the communication device 1 had beengenerated from initial common data connected to the ID allocated to thecommunication device 1, the same initial common data as the initialcommon data sent from the communication device 1 is to be eventuallysupplied from the common data generation unit 134 to the authenticationunit C. The authentication unit C judges a validity of the communicationdevice 1 according to such logic. Moreover, the aforementioned method issomewhat problematic with respect to at what stage the authenticationunit C causes the common data generation unit 134 to suspend thegeneration of new common data and at what stage the authentication unitC judges that communication device 1 having sent the transmissionrequest data is not valid. This problem can be solved by, for example,determining, in advance, the number of times the authentication unit Ccauses the common data generation unit 134 to generate new common data.While the greater the number of times, the more likely that a validcommunication device 1 is to be correctly judged as being valid, thenumber of times can be appropriately determined according to a dataprocessing capacity of the authentication device 2 or the like.

As a result of authentication performed as described above, when thecommunication device 1 having sent the transmission request data isdetermined to be invalid (S402: No), the authentication unit C notifiesthe CPU 121 to that effect via the interface unit 131. The CPU 121terminates processing upon receiving the notification (S403). In thiscase, transmission of content data to the communication device 1 havingsent the transmission request data is not performed.

When the communication device 1 having sent the transmission requestdata is determined to be valid (S402: Yes), encryption of the content iscommenced (S404).

Specifically, upon receiving the transmission request data from thepre-processing unit 132 via the interface unit 131 and receiving datafrom the authentication unit C indicating that the communication device1 having sent the transmission request data is valid, the CPU 121 sendscontent data recorded in the HDD 122 to the encrypted communication unit127.

The content data sent to the encrypted communication unit 127 isencrypted by the encrypted communication unit 127 according to the samemethod that is used when encrypting electronic mail data in the firstembodiment, and is transmitted in a packetized state to thecommunication device 1 having sent the transmission request dataaccording to the same method that is used in the first embodiment(S405).

The initial common data that is used to generate initial common data tobe used to encrypt content data to be sent to the communication device 1having sent the transmission request data is the initial common datasent from the communication device 1 having sent the transmissionrequest data. After the communication device 1 having sent thetransmission request data is judged to be valid through authentication,the common data generation unit 134 updates the initial common dataconnected to the ID sent together with the initial common data that hadbeen recorded in the initial common data group recording unit 134A withthe initial common data sent from the communication device 1. Subsequentgeneration of new pieces of initial common data and generation ofencrypted data to be used for encryption are to be performed using theinitial common data.

The communication device 1 receives the sent encrypted content data(S303), and decrypts the encrypted content data (S304).

The processes of the communication device 1 for receiving content dataand for decrypting the content data are to be executed in the samemanner as the processes for receiving electronic mail data anddecrypting the electronic mail data performed by the receivingcommunication device 1 according to the first embodiment.

The initial common data used to generate initial common data to be usedby the communication device 1 to decrypt content data is the initialcommon data sent together with transmission request data by thecommunication device 1 to the authentication device 2.

The decrypted content is recorded in, for example, the HDD 22 to beappropriately used by the communication device 1.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A transmission/reception system comprising:a transmission device capable of transmitting, via a network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, wherein the transmission device includes: transmitting-sidesolution generating means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution;encrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means to encrypt the transmissionobject data to create encrypted data; and transmitting-sidecommunicating means that communicates with the reception device via thenetwork, the reception device includes: receiving-side solutiongenerating means that consecutively generates, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solution dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted togenerate the same solutions as the transmitting-side solution generatingmeans if it uses the same initial solution as used by thetransmitting-side solution generating means; decrypting means that usesthe solutions generated by the receiving-side solution generating meansto decrypt the encrypted data that is encrypted by the transmissiondevice; and receiving-side communicating means that communicates withthe transmission device via the network, the transmission device and thereception device are adapted such that: when transmission/reception ofthe encrypted data is performed, one of the transmission device and thereception device transmits data to become the initial solution to theother of the transmission device and the reception device; the one ofthe transmission device and the reception device generates solutions attransmitting-side solution generating means thereof or receiving-sidesolution generating means thereof using the transmitted data as aninitial solution, and the other of the transmission device and thereception device generates solutions at transmitting-side solutiongenerating means thereof or receiving-side solution generating meansthereof using the received data as an initial solution; thetransmitting-side solution generating means and the receiving-sidesolution generating means generate a mutually agreed-upon predeterminednumber of solutions, and subsequently generate solutions using a lastsolution among the predetermined number of solutions as a new initialsolution; and the encrypting means being adapted to encrypt thetransmission object data using the solutions generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means based on the new initialsolution, and the decrypting means being adapted to decrypt theencrypted data using the solutions generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means based on the new initial solution; wherein theencrypting means is adapted to divide the transmission object data intopieces having a predetermined bit length to create divisionaltransmission object data and subsequently sequentially encrypt therespective pieces of divisional transmission object data using differentsolutions generated by the transmitting-side solution generating means,and the decrypting means is adapted to divide the encrypted data intopieces having a predetermined bit length to create divisional encrypteddata and subsequently sequentially decrypt the respective pieces ofdivisional encrypted data using different solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means.
 2. The transmission/receptionsystem according to claim 1, wherein whichever transmits the data tobecome the initial solution among the transmission device and thereception device includes means for varying the data to become theinitial solution according to a predetermined rule at a predeterminedtiming.
 3. The transmission device included in thetransmission/reception system according to claim 1, wherein thetransmission device is adapted to transmit the data to become theinitial solution.
 4. The transmission device included in thetransmission/reception system according to claim 1, wherein thetransmission device is adapted to receive the data to become the initialsolution.
 5. The reception device included in the transmission/receptionsystem according to claim 1, wherein the reception device is adapted totransmit the data to become the initial solution.
 6. The receptiondevice included in the transmission/reception system according to claim1, wherein the reception device is adapted to receive the data to becomethe initial solution.
 7. A method to be executed by a transmissiondevice that constitutes a transmission/reception system including: atransmission device capable of transmitting, via a network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the reception device adapted to include:receiving-side solution generating means for consecutively generating,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means to decrypt the encrypted datato create transmission object data; receiving-side communicating meansfor communicating with the transmission device via the network; andmeans for receiving data to become the initial solution from thetransmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypted data isperformed, the receiving-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe transmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is received from thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, wherein the transmissiondevice includes control means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means,the method including processes in which the control means: transmits thedata to become the initial solution to the reception device; transmitsthe encrypted data to the reception device; generates a predeterminednumber, which had been agreed upon with the reception device, ofsolutions using the data to become the initial solution transmitted tothe reception device as an initial solution; generates a solution usinga last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution; and encrypts the transmission object data using thesolution generated using the last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution; wherein the encrypting isadapted to divide the transmission object data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional transmission object dataand subsequently sequentially encrypt the respective pieces ofdivisional transmission object data using different solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means, and the decryptingmeans is adapted to divide the encrypted data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional encrypted data andsubsequently sequentially decrypt the respective pieces of divisionalencrypted data using different solutions generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means.
 8. A method to be executed by a transmissiondevice that constitutes a transmission/reception system including: atransmission device capable of transmitting, via a network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the reception device adapted to include:receiving-side solution generating means for consecutively generating,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means to decrypt the encrypted datato create transmission object data; receiving-side communicating meansfor communicating with the transmission device via the network; andmeans for transmitting data to become the initial solution to thetransmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypted data isperformed, the receiving-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe transmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is transmitted to thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, wherein the transmissiondevice includes control means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means,the method including processes in which the control means: receives thedata to become the initial solution from the reception device; transmitsthe encrypted data to the transmission device; generates a predeterminednumber, which had been agreed upon with the reception device, ofsolutions using the data to become the initial solution received fromthe reception device as an initial solution; generates a solution usinga last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution; and encrypts the transmission object data using thesolution generated using the last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution; wherein the encrypting isadapted to divide the transmission object data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional transmission object dataand subsequently sequentially encrypt the respective pieces ofdivisional transmission object data using different solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means, and the decryptingmeans is adapted to divide the encrypted data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional encrypted data andsubsequently sequentially decrypt the respective pieces of divisionalencrypted data using different solutions generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means.
 9. A method to be executed by a receptiondevice that constitutes a transmission/reception system including: atransmission device capable of transmitting, via a network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the transmission device adapted to include:transmitting-side solution generating means for consecutivelygenerating, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution; encrypting means that uses the solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means to encrypt thetransmission object data to create encrypted data; transmitting-sidecommunicating means for communicating with the reception device via thenetwork; and means for transmitting data to become the initial solutionto the reception device when transmission/reception of the encrypteddata is performed, the transmitting-side solution generating means beingadapted to generate a predetermined number of solutions mutuallyagreed-upon with the reception device and to generate a solution using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution when data to become the initial solution is transmittedto the reception device, and the encrypting means being adapted toencrypt the transmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, whereinthe reception device includes control means that consecutively generate,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution, and adapted to be capable of generating the same solutions asthe transmitting-side solution generating means if it uses the sameinitial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means, the method including processes in which the controlmeans: receives the data to become the initial solution from thetransmission device; receives the encrypted data from the transmissiondevice; generates a predetermined number, which had been agreed uponwith the transmission device, of solutions using the data to become theinitial solution received from the transmission device as an initialsolution; generates a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; anddecrypts the encrypted data using the solution generated using the lastsolution among the predetermined number of solutions as a new initialsolution; wherein the encrypting means is adapted to divide thetransmission object data into pieces having a predetermined bit lengthto create divisional transmission object data and subsequentlysequentially encrypt the respective pieces of divisional transmissionobject data using different solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means, and the decrypting is adapted to divide theencrypted data into pieces having a predetermined bit length to createdivisional encrypted data and subsequently sequentially decrypt therespective pieces of divisional encrypted data using different solutionsgenerated by the receiving-side solution generating means.
 10. A methodto be executed by a reception device that constitutes atransmission/reception system including: a transmission device capableof transmitting, via a network, encrypted data created by encryptingtransmission object data that is data to become an object oftransmission; and a reception device capable of receiving the encrypteddata from the transmission device via the network, in combination withthe transmission device adapted to include; transmitting-side solutiongenerating means for consecutively generating, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution; encryptingmeans that uses the solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means to encrypt the transmission object data tocreate encrypted data; transmitting-side communicating means forcommunicating with the reception device via the network; and means forreceiving data to become the initial solution from the reception devicewhen transmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, thetransmitting-side solution generating means being adapted to generate apredetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon with thereception device and to generate a solution using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution whendata to become the initial solution is received from the receptiondevice, and the encrypting means being adapted to encrypt thetransmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, whereinthe reception device includes control means that consecutivelygenerates, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution, and adapted to be capable of generating the samesolutions as the transmitting-side solution generating means if it usesthe same initial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means, the method including processes in which the controlmeans: transmits the data to become the initial solution to thetransmission device; receives the encrypted data from the transmissiondevice; generates a predetermined number, which had been agreed uponwith the transmission device, of solutions using the data to become theinitial solution transmitted to the transmission device as an initialsolution; generates a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; anddecrypts the encrypted data using the solution generated using the lastsolution among the predetermined number of solutions as a new initialsolution; wherein the encrypting means is adapted to divide thetransmission object data into pieces having a predetermined bit lengthto create divisional transmission object data and subsequentlysequentially encrypt the respective pieces of divisional transmissionobject data using different solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means, and the decrypting is adapted to divide theencrypted data into pieces having a predetermined bit length to createdivisional encrypted data and subsequently sequentially decrypt therespective pieces of divisional encrypted data using different solutionsgenerated by the receiving-side solution generating means.
 11. Acomputer program stored in non-transitory storage, the computer programhaving program instructions that causes control means of a transmissiondevice that constitutes a transmission/reception system including: atransmission device capable of transmitting, via a network, encrypteddata created by encrypting transmission object data that is data tobecome an object of transmission; and a reception device capable ofreceiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the reception device adapted to include:receiving-side solution generating means for consecutively generating,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means to decrypt the encrypted datato create transmission object data; receiving-side communicating meansfor communicating with the transmission device via the network; andmeans for receiving data to become the initial solution from thetransmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypted data isperformed, the receiving-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe transmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is received from thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, the transmission deviceincluding the control means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means by using the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means,to execute the processes of: transmitting the data to become the initialsolution to the reception device; transmitting the encrypted data to thereception device; generating a predetermined number, which had beenagreed upon with the reception device, of solutions using the data tobecome the initial solution transmitted to the reception device as aninitial solution; generating a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; andencrypting the transmission object data using the solution generatedusing the last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution; wherein the encrypting is adapted to divide thetransmission object data into pieces having a predetermined bit lengthto create divisional transmission object data and subsequentlysequentially encrypt the respective pieces of divisional transmissionobject data using different solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means, and the decrypting means is adapted to dividethe encrypted data into pieces having a predetermined bit length tocreate divisional encrypted data and subsequently sequentially decryptthe respective pieces of divisional encrypted data using differentsolutions generated by the receiving-side solution generating means. 12.A computer program stored in non-transitory storage, the computerprogram having program instructions that causes control means of atransmission device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: a transmission device capable of transmitting, via a network,encrypted data created by encrypting transmission object data that isdata to become an object of transmission; and a reception device capableof receiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the reception device adapted to include:receiving-side solution generating means for consecutively generating,based on an initial solution that is predetermined data, solutionsdependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined by the initialsolution; decrypting means that uses the solutions generated by thereceiving-side solution generating means to decrypt the encrypted datato create transmission object data; receiving-side communicating meansfor communicating with the transmission device via the network; andmeans for transmitting data to become the initial solution to thetransmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypted data isperformed, the receiving-side solution generating means being adapted togenerate a predetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon withthe transmission device and to generate a solution using a last solutionamong the predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solutionwhen data to become the initial solution is transmitted to thetransmission device, and the decrypting means being adapted to decryptthe encrypted data using a solution generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means using a last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution, the transmission deviceincluding the control means that consecutively generates, based on aninitial solution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on theinitial solution and uniquely determined by the initial solution, andadapted to be capable of generating the same solutions as thereceiving-side solution generating means if it uses the same initialsolution that is used by the receiving-side solution generating means,to execute the processes of: receiving the data to become the initialsolution from the reception device; transmitting the encrypted data tothe transmission device; generating a predetermined number, which hadbeen agreed upon with the reception device, of solutions using the datato become the initial solution received from the reception device as aninitial solution; generating a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; andencrypting the transmission object data using the solution generatedusing the last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution; wherein the encrypting is adapted to divide thetransmission object data into pieces having a predetermined bit lengthto create divisional transmission object data and subsequentlysequentially encrypt the respective pieces of divisional transmissionobject data using different solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means, and the decrypting means is adapted to dividethe encrypted data into pieces having a predetermined bit length tocreate divisional encrypted data and subsequently sequentially decryptthe respective pieces of divisional encrypted data using differentsolutions generated by the receiving-side solution generating means. 13.A computer program stored in non-transitory storage, the computerprogram having program instructions that causes control means of areception device that constitutes a transmission/reception systemincluding: a transmission device capable of transmitting, via a network,encrypted data created by encrypting transmission object data that isdata to become an object of transmission; and a reception device capableof receiving the encrypted data from the transmission device via thenetwork, in combination with the transmission device adapted to include:transmitting-side solution generating means for consecutivelygenerating, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution; encrypting means that uses the solutions generatedby the transmitting-side solution generating means to encrypt thetransmission object data to create encrypted data; transmitting-sidecommunicating means for communicating with the reception device via thenetwork; and means for transmitting data to become the initial solutionto the transmission device when transmission/reception of the encrypteddata is performed, the transmitting-side solution generating means beingadapted to generate a predetermined number of solutions mutuallyagreed-upon with the reception device and to generate a solution using alast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution when data to become the initial solution is transmittedto the reception device, and the encrypting means being adapted toencrypt the transmission object data using a solution generated by thetransmitting-side solution generating means using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution, thereception device including the control means that consecutivelygenerates, based on an initial solution that is predetermined data,solutions dependent on the initial solution and uniquely determined bythe initial solution, and adapted to be capable of generating the samesolutions as the transmitting-side solution generating means if it usesthe same initial solution that is used by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means, to execute the processes of: receiving the data tobecome the initial solution from the transmission device; receiving theencrypted data from the transmission device; generating a predeterminednumber, which had been agreed upon with the transmission device, ofsolutions using the data to become the initial solution received fromthe transmission device as an initial solution; generating a solutionusing a last solution among the predetermined number of solutions as anew initial solution; and decrypting the encrypted data using thesolution generated using the last solution among the predeterminednumber of solutions as a new initial solution; wherein the encryptingmeans is adapted to divide the transmission object data into pieceshaving a predetermined bit length to create divisional transmissionobject data and subsequently sequentially encrypt the respective piecesof divisional transmission object data using different solutionsgenerated by the transmitting-side solution generating means, and thedecrypting is adapted to divide the encrypted data into pieces having apredetermined bit length to create divisional encrypted data andsubsequently sequentially decrypt the respective pieces of divisionalencrypted data using different solutions generated by the receiving-sidesolution generating means.
 14. A computer program stored innon-transitory storage, the computer program having program instructionsthat causes control means of a reception device that constitutes atransmission/reception system including: a transmission device capableof transmitting, via a network, encrypted data created by encryptingtransmission object data that is data to become an object oftransmission; and a reception device capable of receiving the encrypteddata from the transmission device via the network, in combination withthe transmission device adapted to include: transmitting-side solutiongenerating means for consecutively generating, based on an initialsolution that is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initialsolution and uniquely determined by the initial solution; encryptingmeans that uses the solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means to encrypt the transmission object data tocreate encrypted data; transmitting-side communicating means forcommunicating with the reception device via the network; and means forreceiving data to become the initial solution from the reception devicewhen transmission/reception of the encrypted data is performed, thetransmitting-side solution generating means adapted to generate apredetermined number of solutions mutually agreed-upon with thereception device and to generate a solution using a last solution amongthe predetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution whendata to become the initial solution is received from the receptiondevice, and the encrypting means adapted to encrypt the transmissionobject data using a solution generated by the transmitting-side solutiongenerating means using a last solution among the predetermined number ofsolutions as a new initial solution, the reception device includingcontrol means that consecutively generates, based on an initial solutionthat is predetermined data, solutions dependent on the initial solutionand uniquely determined by the initial solution, and adapted to becapable of generating the same solutions as the transmitting-sidesolution generating means if uses the same initial solution that is usedby the transmitting-side solution generating means, to execute theprocesses of: transmitting the data to become the initial solution tothe transmission device; receiving the encrypted data from thetransmission device; generating a predetermined number, which had beenagreed upon with the transmission device, of solutions using the data tobecome the initial solution transmitted to the transmission device as aninitial solution; generating a solution using a last solution among thepredetermined number of solutions as a new initial solution; anddecrypting the encrypted data using the solution generated using thelast solution among the predetermined number of solutions as a newinitial solution; wherein the encrypting means is adapted to divide thetransmission object data into pieces having a predetermined bit lengthto create divisional transmission object data and subsequentlysequentially encrypt the respective pieces of divisional transmissionobject data using different solutions generated by the transmitting-sidesolution generating means, and the decrypting is adapted to divide theencrypted data into pieces having a predetermined bit length to createdivisional encrypted data and subsequently sequentially decrypt therespective pieces of divisional encrypted data using different solutionsgenerated by the receiving-side solution generating means.